President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev criticized the tradition of male hugs, stating that it does not align with the customs of the country. He made the remarks on August 23 following voting in the Kurultai elections in Astana.
“Men should shake hands with each other firmly,” he said, adding they must avoid hugging like a warm patty or a twig and greet one another with a smile but no more than that.
Tokayev emphasized such behavior is particularly inappropriate among military personnel. He noted it has never been acceptable for generals to hug each other, explaining that in such situations it would be impossible to imagine the Soviet marshals who won World War II.
