These days, if you offer someone your hand at a business meeting in the US, they might refuse to shake it, according to Jacqueline Whitmore, author of Business Class: Etiquette Essentials for Success at Work . The reasonis not because bad manners are the latest fashion, but because of widespread fear about the H1N1 virus.

However, assuming you're sufficiently cool about swine flu to touch those you do business with, what is an appropriate workplace greeting? Is it a firm, businesslike handshake? An embrace? A kiss on the cheek? A kiss on both cheeks? And how does this vary with the gender of those you meet and the continent, country and industry you are in?

Andrew Gormley, director of men's wear at fashion supplier Harvest Group, says that in his business kissing is pretty prevalent. "Fashion can be a bit 'Ab Fab' and a lot of people are very 'dahling, dahling' and camp it up." But, he adds, "You probably wouldn't plant a smacker on the face of the fashion director of a major chain."