Before the pandemic of «Coved-19», fisherman Daniel Reggio in Marseille (France), bordering the Mediterranean, greeted friends and colleagues with two kisses, but “now we shake hands through the elbow.”
From France to Tunisia, through Spain, Algeria, and Lebanon, the Coffid-19 fight forced the banning of kisses and hugs and shaking hands by hand.
It is a basic tradition in the Mediterranean region, where "a culture of contact and proximity" is prevalent, according to Tunisian sociologist Mohamed Goueili.
And some adopted new greetings such as putting the elbow on the elbow as was prevalent in Africa when the Ebola epidemic spread or the foot on the foot or by putting the hand on the heart or simulating kisses remotely with longing for the actual hug. But Daniel Reggio, who sells fish at the port of Marseilles, again, the cities of France, explains, "We cannot say that we are not longing for this, but this will not destroy friendship ties."
Yvonne Tapias, a pensioner organizing picnics in Marseille, adopted the “Salutation of Wuhan”, after the city in which the emerging Corona virus appeared.
"We touch the instep," explains the man, a resident of Friol. We, the people of the south, need this connection. ”
In Marseille, which maintains close relations with the Mediterranean countries, even men exchange kisses when peace. "This is the first place where I have accepted men," says Jean-Francois Chaunier, head of the Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilizations, which moved years ago from Paris to Marseille. I had never thought about kissing a banker before that! ”
In Montpellier (southeastern France), where the people of the city exchange three kisses on all occasions, as is the case in Lebanon, "we suffer an actual shortage and feel uncomfortable when we have to give up on that" says student Melody Rico, who hesitates now between gathering the palms of the hands in front of the chest in the Indian way Slightly bending over or waving remotely.
Fatima Boulemat, who lives in the Bute Bar neighborhood in Marseille, stopped kissing her friends, explaining, "I am making the move that my Moroccan grandmother was making by putting the right hand on the heart with a deep look to feel my love."
"I really missed hugs and kisses," says Illy Commetti, from Athens.
In Beirut, Zina Akl, an insurance worker, explains that she is now compensating for kissing and hugs by increasing verbal expressions with the use of many descriptions and adjectives, “But sometimes I do not find words that are really expressive, or that people do not want words but comfort through embrace and embrace.” "I miss kissing, hugs, or even just patting on the shoulder," she says.
"I miss that, especially when a person needs in front of me moral support in cases of sadness and mourning, for example, or when there is an occasion of joy that we want to celebrate together."
Anthropologist Genevieve Zoya from the University of Montpellier explains that "physical contact is the basis of our identity on the Mediterranean, which is different from the practices in countries marked by English culture and from the Asian dimension."
"The meeting between people who know each other leads to a hug and kisses, and this indicates an indication of knowledge and gratitude," said Goueili.
"Our behavior is caused by customs, and it is difficult for a young child to see his grandfather or grandmother without hugging them," he added. In Spain, a person is required from childhood to kiss and suddenly he is now told (do not touch anyone) that is against human nature. ”
"Physical contact is very important in Algeria, there are many contacts and movements that express sympathy," said researcher at the University of Algiers, Nasser Gabi.
He adds that, like other countries, “some are trying to find alternative solutions like saluting the elbow, but this behavior remains marginal. We need time to switch to a culture that is backwards. ”
With the muzzle, which became an essential accessory while loosening the isolation restrictions, the fisherman Daniel Reggio in Marseille learned to "smile through the eyes."
"The barrier that the muzzle is erecting is greater than not shaking hands or kissing," says Shounier. We are in a society where applying a mask on the face is completely artificial and disturbing. ”
"A new social standard characterized by greater ability to express feelings emerged after a massive shock caused by the virus," said Manuel Armayones of the Open University of Catalonia (Spain). "We add words to make up for the movements that we are reluctant to do, like my friend and brother," says Daniel Reggio. But from Spain to Tunisia, experts believe that this adaptation is "circumstantial" and should disappear with the virus. "The physical contact on average is a necessary supplement for social and symbolic communication," stresses Mohamed Goueli.
Genevieve Zoya: “The physical contact is the basis of our identity in the Mediterranean.”
Reggio: “We add words to make up for the movements we are reluctant to.”
Fatima Boulemat: “I am making the move that my Moroccan grandmother was making by putting the right hand on the heart with a deep look to make me feel loved.”