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Dear co-workers, please don't kiss me

The economy is flailing and the stock market is flip-flopping, but let’s take a moment to discuss some of the more pressing issues facing the global workforce today: Kissing.A German expert on social etiquette tells the BBC that he has received about 50 e-mails already this year on the worrisome trend of people kissing in the workplace.We’re not talking about making out in the elevator here, b

The economy is flailing and the stock market is flip-flopping, but let’s take a moment to discuss some of the more pressing issues facing the global workforce today: Kissing.

A German expert on social etiquette tells the BBC that he has received about 50 e-mails already this year on the worrisome trend of people kissing in the workplace.

We’re not talking about making out in the elevator here, but rather the habit of kissing on the cheek as a greeting. This, he is told, is not typical German behavior.

The expert, Hans-Michael Klein of The Knigge Society, tells BBC he blames the French, the Italians and the South Americans for bringing this custom into German workplaces.

Tips for stopping the scourge of kissing include placing a message on your desk specifying your preferences regarding kissing and observing a “social distance zone” of about 23 inches.