How to perform a perfect hand kiss

Today we had a little lesson for a young gentleman how to perform a perfect handkiss. If you are a male reader you may be also interested how to do this gesture indicating courtesy, politeness, respect, admiration or even devotion by a man towards a woman also. And also for ladies it could not be wrong to know the basics of it:

Hand-kissing is a wonderful means of greeting a lady. A gentleman kisses the hand of a lady in only two social situations:

1. If you already know the lady, and she offers her hand, or
   
   
2. If you are being introduced to her, and she offers her hand.

Do not run around grabbing any lady's hand, and kissing it, at random. That would be really bad behaviour. You can try that she offer her hand to you by extending yours, giving her a sign, but expect that will be not answered as you may like to see it. It is the lady that decides to offer you her hand for the hand kiss.

When she offers her hand to you. With dry lips, bend over the hand in a courtly manner, and make the motions of a kiss over the back of the hand. Do not touch the hand with your lips. This is correct when first introduced, and is always correct in any situation.

The second degree of a handkiss when you know the lady alreas would to kis her hannd with dry lips, bow as above, and kiss the back of the hand, gently and touch her hand with your lips sweet. This would be not correct if you have not been introduced previously and is only allowed to perfor to a lady which is already good know to you.

When saying farewell, one may kiss the hand also but only if it is offered. If the lady offers her  cheek, which would be a very intimate situation but you could be sure that the lady really likes you then, give her a slight kiss on the cheek gently and again with dry lips.