So this is the cultural equivalent of kissing someone on the cheeks as a hello or goodbye? I remember arriving back from home for my second semester my freshman year and a female acquaintance coming up to give me a hello and happy new year hug. I automatically reacted by beginning the triple cheek kiss that is standard in Geneva. She was a bit flustered though not upset since she was aware of the custom, but if she hadn't known about it the situation would have been much more awkward.