S.American etiquette

[Alej]

As a resident in Spain who is going to s.america very soon i would like to know if the native(indiginous) south americans have the custom of cheek kissing upon greeting like the european blooded do?  To avoid embarrasing/awkward situations as i am staying with a native/indian family.  Thanks in advance.

[Yinzer]

I don't know the answer, but just recently I had a problem with cheek kissing. The other woman didn't "practice" and when I greeted her I first ended up kissing the air near her ear (!) then when departing she put in her best effort but we both went in the same direction and I kissed her on the lips! It was terrible embarassing. I think it's mainly European, cheek kissing. Wouldn't expect your friend to be accustomed to it although I don't know for sure. Where are you goin in S. America?

[Alej]

wow, it does sound embarassing!!! Im going all over s.america but the family i will be with is in Ecuador.  I do know that they do it there but dont know about if the native peoples do it.  You see if i dont and they do ill appear rude, if i do and they dont ill look strange!  This is a very strange question!

[Yinzer]

Then I'd say do it, cos if most others in ecuador do then even if a person is native it's likely that they picked up the habit through daily social interactions.