Vantage | What Croatian minister's kiss controversy says about social kissing

In a recent European Union conference held in Berlin, a seemingly ordinary event took a bizarre turn when the Croatian Foreign Minister Gordan Grlic-Radman attempted to greet his German counterpart Annalena Baerbock. What was meant to be a cordial exchange of greetings turned into an awkward and questionable moment that has since gone viral. This incident has sparked debates about the appropriateness of workplace kissing and raises questions about consent and gender dynamics in professional settings. The unfortunate kiss In a video that quickly made its way around the internet, Grlic-Radman was seen first extending his hand for a handshake and then leaning in to plant a kiss on Baerbock’s cheek. Her swift turn of the cheek met the Croatian minister’s clumsy kiss, resulting in an awkward moment. Baerbock managed to laugh it off, but the internet’s response was anything but jovial. The incident has ignited a storm of controversy and anger given the recent context of such unwanted advances. Impact of unwanted advances This isn’t the first time an unwanted kiss has garnered attention. Luis Rubiales, the former Spanish football chief, forced a kiss on footballer Jenni Hermoso during the Women’s World Cup final in August leading to his resignation and a three-year ban from football-related activities. In both cases, the unwanted kisses have been met with significant backlash, raising questions about consent and the boundaries that should exist in professional settings. Public reaction and backlash German newspapers labelled the incident as a “kiss attack”, while women’s rights activists and even a former Croatian prime minister voiced their concerns, denouncing the kiss as “extremely inappropriate” and equating forced kissing with violence. Despite this public outrage, Grlic-Radman offered only a half-hearted apology, stating that ministers greet each other cordially and that if anyone interpreted his actions negatively, he would offer apologies. His response fell short of a sincere apology, further fueling the controversy. “We ministers always greet each other cordially. If someone saw something bad in that, then apologies to whoever took it that way. The plane was late, so we only saw each other in a joint photo. I don’t know how someone took it. We are sitting together until of the other, we are neighbours. It was a very good conference. Maybe it turned out awkwardly,” said Grlic-Radman. Social norms and workplace kissing Some may argue that such displays of cordiality are simply cultural norms in some regions. However, the problem with workplace kissing lies in its ambiguity and inconsistency. It sets a precedent that consent is not required, leaving room for misunderstanding and discomfort. Historical examples The incident involving Grlic-Radman and Baerbock is not an isolated case. Past incidents involving prominent figures like former French president Nicolas Sarkozy and former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, as well as leaders Barack Obama and Angela Merkel, have raised similar questions. Even female Muppets, such as Miss Piggy, have received kisses while their male counterparts have not. These examples show a long-standing pattern of unequal treatment. Importance of consent Politicians and leaders have a responsibility to set an example for the masses. While some may argue that these are friendly gestures, they contribute to a sexist and outdated norm that implies it’s acceptable to approach a woman and kiss her without her consent. This behaviour can escalate to more severe forms of harassment and assault as highlighted by a recent case involving a New York City councilwoman who was kissed without consent during a live TV interview. A call for change In 2018, a female mayor of a French town sent an email to municipal counsellors stating that she preferred handshakes over kisses like men do. Her action sparked discussions and debates on this issue. It’s time to acknowledge that workplace social kissing is a complex form of interaction that is not universally accepted and can lead to discomfort or worse. The incident involving Grlic-Radman and Baerbock serves as a lesson for all professionals, particularly those in positions of power. The golden rule should be simple: if you wouldn’t kiss your male colleague, don’t kiss your female colleague either. Stick to handshakes and high fives in the workplace, as there is a fine line between cordiality and crassness that should never be crossed. In a world that increasingly values consent and respect, it’s essential to leave no room for ambiguity or discomfort when interacting with colleagues in a professional setting. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost’s views. Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.