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Le hug: How John Kerry made a Paris cheek-kiss faux pas
US diplomat goes in for a "big hug" for Francois Hollande - leading to an awkward half-kiss, half-embrace - before introducing James Taylor to sing You've Got A Friend
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When top US diplomat John Kerry rushed towards the French president, arms open, to warmly embrace him on Friday, what followed was a cringeworthy culture clash that has befuddled many a visitor to France.
The French are just not that into hugging.
Kerry had given fair warning to his French counterparts that some American-style affection was on the cards.
"My visit to France is basically to share a big hug for Paris and express the affection of the American people for France and for our friends there who have been through a terrible time," he said on the eve of his trip.
The phrase alone sparked confusion in the media who struggled to pin down a translation for the word hug.
There is "calin", which is more akin to a cuddle and unlikely to be shared between anyone except lovers or parents and their children. Other words or phrases are typically more romantic-sounding.
Most eventually settled on the cooler sounding "accolade".
But for the leader of a country where "la bise" or cheek-kissing is the standard greeting between strangers, friends and colleagues, it was never going to be easy.
The towering John Kerry was metres from Hollande, striding fast, when he first opened his arms.
In turn, the French leader stretched out his, clasping Kerry's hands. Kerry pulled him into a brief hug to his right, at which time Hollande appeared to go back in for "la bise".
Kerry caught up, accepted the kiss on his right cheek, before they clasped hands again, awkwardly placing their arms around each other as they walked side by side up the stairs into the Elysee Palace.
Half-hug, half-bise, it was a moving clash of cultures.
Mr Kerry followed up on the inelegant greeting by introducing his friend James Taylor, the musician, to sing an acoustic version of his hit cover "You've Got A Friend" to his French hosts.
Mr Kerry stood at musician's side throughout his three-and-a-half minute rendition of the Carole King song, swaying gently to the music before leading the city hall audience in applause.
Taylor began his performance with several bars of the French national anthem.
The event was called an "Hommage de John Kerry a Paris."
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