Italians are very physical in their greetings.
FI-si-ci — stress on first syllable. 'Fisico' = physical.
Understand before meeting Italian friends or being introduced. Italians use physical contact — cheek kisses, embraces, hand on shoulder — as normal social affirmation. Do not withdraw from this.
Italian physical greeting norms extend beyond the double kiss: close friends (especially among men) embrace; a hand on the arm during conversation is friendly, not intrusive; touching someone's hand when making a point is normal. Italian men who are close friends are more physically affectionate than in many other cultures.
Un abbraccio!
A hug!
Said when greeting or leaving a close friend — the hug is included in the phrase.
Che bello rivederti!
How wonderful to see you again!
Typical exclamation accompanying physical greeting with friends.
È affettuoso — è solo il modo italiano.
He's affectionate — it's just the Italian way.
Explaining Italian physical warmth to a non-Italian companion.
Italian male friendships are characterised by warmth and physical affection that can surprise visitors from northern cultures. Men hugging men, kissing each other on the cheek (in some regions), and walking arm in arm is completely normal and carries no ambiguity in Italian culture.