I find sigs mildly annoying, especially quotes that are supposed to be deep and profound, or show us the sender's soul or whatnot.

I don't x or o anyone, haven't since I was about 12. If I feel affectionate, I sign it "Love, Nicole"

I kiss friends when I see them in person. One cheek and a hug, or two or three cheeks and no hug, depending what ethnicity I'm dealing with. But not over email.

Heh. Some sigs are pretty funny, and some are just stupid, but I like to compare sigs to the senders, just to see how closely they reflect on the sender. On one of my email accounts, my sig is "I almost had a psychic boyfriend once, but he left me before we met."
Silly yes, but hey, sometimes I don't take myself very seriously, so don't expect others to.

That said, I don't do the x and o thing. If I love you, I say so. Sometimes I'll tell you to have a great day, other times, to take care. Once in a while, I'll give a cyber hug {{{{name}}}}. And sometimes I leave a little face, like this: o.O

I never know the protocol for that stuff. I have an old friend who has lived in Italy for the past 10 years. We just started emailing again (she is moving back to the US with her Italian husband and son) She is now signing xoxo. This is not how it started. WTF?

I use no sig or a sign off.

Any help? Or maybe I should meet up with them when they move back (less than 15 miles from me). That is, of course, if he moves here.

Any ideas or just stay away.

The only rules I have are, there are no rules.

Is someone sending you too much love, Amy? Just accept it, you're wonderful and people notice.

xox,
mox

Yes, sorry, I am a guy. I was thinking she was just trying to be friendly but I, like most guys, are clueless on some of that stuff.

I'll just see if her husband shows up in the US. If he does, then no go. If not, then all options will be open.

I don't sign anything. Haven't used XOXO since elementary school. Reminds me of the Valentine's cards we had to give out. SWAK was another one.

Nicole writes:

I kiss friends when I see them in person. One cheek and a hug, or two or three cheeks and no hug, depending what ethnicity I'm dealing with. But not over email.

How many cheeks do your acquaintances have?

(Assuming your kissing only the cheeks found on a person's face, that is.)

OK, ok, that should have been written "three cheek kisses"... I'm not kissing their nether cheeks!!!

Left, right, left! Kiss, Kiss, Kiss!!!

I find the kiss-kiss greeting somewhat insincere. From this distance, it seems that it means nothing to the participants, usually some set of "beautiful people" - travelers, movie people, politicians, those who know the wine list by heart. Do these people know what beer is?

I am sure it can indicate a great deal about personal hygiene and sobriety, so I guess it's useful. I imagine that rules it out for those with fewer teeth than the build order called for.

Some people are huggers, and can recognize cues, and others are not. Go hang out at some place non-hardcore bikers frequent, and you'll see something else I find odd: the "half-hug" greeting. A handshake for a male buddy who rides in the group is not enough. The handshake is continued into a pat on the back and a right shoulder / right shoulder impact, not severe. Some guys will hug the ladies, others won't, and which one is greeted in what manner is carefully observed.