Ep 17. The Kiss Hello

In Seinfeld season 6 episode 17, titled "The Kiss Hello," Jerry, Elaine, and George attend a party hosted by a friend of Jerry's named Joe. Throughout the evening, they encounter various other guests, including a group of Elaine's co-workers who are fascinated by Jerry's profession as a comedian.

As the night wears on, the guests begin to bid farewell to each other with a "kiss hello," much to the confusion of Jerry and his friends. They find the custom bizarre and uncomfortable, particularly when Elaine's boss tries to kiss Jerry. This leads to a discussion about the cultural significance of different types of greetings and physical contact.

Meanwhile, George becomes obsessed with a woman he meets at the party. Despite her apparent lack of interest in him, he becomes convinced that she is flirting with him and spends the rest of the night trying to win her over. His increasingly desperate attempts to impress her culminate in a disastrous dance performance.

Throughout the episode, Seinfeld uses its signature humor to explore themes of social norms and interpersonal communication. The contrast between Jerry, Elaine, and George's discomfort with the "kiss hello" and the ease with which other guests embrace the custom highlights the awkwardness that can arise when individuals from different cultures come together.

At the same time, George's infatuation with the woman at the party mirrors the ways in which people can misinterpret social cues and misread signals. His delusional belief that she is interested in him despite all evidence to the contrary exposes the ways in which people can become blinded by their desires and lose touch with reality.

As always, the episode is filled with sharp one-liners and comedic set pieces that make it both hilarious and thought-provoking. Whether you're a fan of Seinfeld or just looking for a smart and entertaining look at the complexities of human interaction, "The Kiss Hello" is an episode that is well worth watching.