The XX Factor: What women really think.

The NYT Publishes What Could Be An Onion Parody, and I Feel Bad About It

Last week, Michael Kinsley wrote a brutal takedown of the redesigned Newsweek, attacking it page by page and graph by graph for failing to be readers' "guide through the chaos of the Information Age." It's something that editor Jon Meacham wrote in the editor's note that the new Newsweek would not "pretend" to be, and that Kinsley thinks newsmagazines totally need to be in order to survive. The assessment was shrewd, but perhaps needlessly vicious, as noted in New York's Jessica Pressler's response, titled: "Michael Kinsley Attacks the New Newsweek, and We Feel Bad About It." (Full disclosure: I'm particularly sympathetic to Newsweek, since I used to work there. Plus it's owned by the same company that owns Double X.)

Le Mariage

Hug, Handshake, or ... Kiss?

Per our discussion about whether handshakes or hugs are more appropriate in workplace settings, I think it's safe to say that the Obamas' meeting with French President Nicolas Sarkozy and his wife, Carla Bruni, provides absolutely zero guidance.

As we can see from the photo, Sarkozy gave Michelle Obama the Euro-style cheek kiss, while his wife gave Barack Obama a more formal handshake. But, as these photos from the British Sun show, Ms. Bruni greeted Mrs. Obama with smooches on the cheek, and the two presidents hugged.

I'll try to keep all of this in mind the next time I'm meeting a world leader.

Shake That Thing

To answer Sam's valid query about what to do when you meet someone new, in a formal or informal setting: HANDSHAKE. Always. Why on earth are we hugging? The last time I hugged a total stranger was at a three-hour spoken-word extravaganza before which the performers worked the crowd and foisted deep, yogic hugs upon innocent spectators. Too crunchy, dude.

And, Hanna, growing up as the daughter of Nigerian immigrants (there, a small curtsy is expected from young women), I was told over and over again that a poor handshake would sully all future impressions, and I had better do it right. Not too firm, said my mother, not too jerky, and smile—with an expression hovering between thoughtfulness and elation. This is the kind of thing I am going to subliminally transmit to my children—with good reason! A solid shake is socially irreplaceable, whether one is "fresh off the boat" or long since assimilated.

Embrace the Hug? Or Shoot for Shake?

There's been some buzz today about whether Michelle Obama breached protocol by half-hugging the queen during her visit to Buckingham Palace. Given that the answer is a resounding "no," this is likely to die down pretty soon. Still, it's worth watching this CNN clip discussing the nonissue just for the slow-mo, repeated playing of the incident—a treatment better saved for scenes like this.

Buckingham Palace aside, my question about hugging—and maybe this is one for Penny, The Big Money's new advice columnist—is in what work settings an embrace is appropriate. I've often found myself the only female in a conference room, and as we go around doing obligatory hellos, I watch the men give one another hearty handshakes, then reach out to me for a hug. I find handshakes a bit forced and am generally happy to hug. Still, it feels like a slight of some sort not to be greeted by the same professional custom given to the guys. Should I more aggressively thrust out my hand so they grab that instead? Am I reading too much into this? (Judging by today's news coverage, though, it's fair game to overanalyze hugs.)