What’s the protocol for kissing the podium girls? Sometimes it’s left cheek, right cheek… other times, left, right, left… or maybe it’s right, left, right. Anyway, what gives?

Generally speaking, the custom for kissing an “acquaintance” in France is on the cheek, three times, starting with the left cheek. In Italy, it’s twice, also starting with the left cheek. So in the Giro d’Italia you’ll see that most of the Italians will kiss the podium girls twice, and in the Tour de France, most of the French riders will kiss the podium girls three times. But if you win, whatever you do, no kissing on the lips.