Greeting friends/family

[annaa]

Ever since I can remember, my parents have insisted that when I greet relatives I give them a hug and a kiss. After a while it became just something I always did and something I believed I should be doing.
However lately i've been feeling more and more self-concious and shy when it comes to greeting relatives with a hug and kiss. I do not feel comfortable doing it.
I feel that if I stop doing it I will offend someone, or people will actually ask why i'm not doing it. But surely I shouldn't feel like I have to do it?
I think that me feeling uncomfortable is 70% shyness and 30% being a teenager.
Do you think I should just get over it? Or do you think I have a point, that I shouldn't have to kiss and hug relatives, and that I should talk to my mother about it?
Does anyone else have this problem/is this an issue for anyone else?

[Samantha]

One thing we have to remember is that we are our own people. If you don't feel comfortable hugging and kissing relatives (which is something I never liked either) then don't do it. You don't have to justify yourself either. Maybe your relatives would prefer you to hug and kiss them but it's not their choice, it's yours.

[shyni]

I think you should get over it it's something you have been doing since long time ago so probably the feeling that you are experiencing now could dissapear over the time.

[wagnerr]

I never hugged or kissed relatives, if that helps any. It just wan't in our culture to do it that way.

But i think Nergh is on the right track here. If they expect a kiss or a hug, make it as brief as possible.

[nameless]

all my relatives used to know i hated the hugs and kisses when meeting and saying goodbyes ever since i was young, i do give my aunt a hug when i see her nowadays but i dont do that with everyone!

[saphron]

I always hug my parents and bro. I have a few that I don't hug.

[iroseiroared2]

How bout just shake hands or something.. that way you're still showing your love but you don't have to sicken yourself by fully embracing them, lol.

[gSteve]

I used to kiss some relatives when I was younger but stopped doing it when I got older, now I just say hello. You shouldn't do it if you don't want to, I doubt they will be offended.