LONDON (AP) - Rather than shake hands this holiday season, it's more hygienic to exhange kisses on the cheek advises Britain's authority on etiquette. Following this simple advice might help stem the spread of the the swine flu pandemic and still allow for sweet encounters under the mistletoe this holiday season.

But Debrett's warns strictly adhere to refined etiquette by singularly kissing others on the cheek and not the lips. It is also specifically outlined as wise to avoid touching anyone whilst kissing on the cheek except by touching the shoulder or the upper arms.

It would be best to completely avoid holiday parties altogether if one should not be feeling well advises Jo Bryant of Debrett's.

"Social skills will be impaired," she urges that if one has been drinking that they should well avoid the mistletoe completely. She did not elaborate on the swine flu implications of that.