Greetings Around the World

In the United States, men and women shake hands when they meet. Greetings are often casual such as a handshake, a smile and a “hello.” The British say “hello” when they meet friends. They usually shake hands when they meet for the first time. Social kissing or a kiss on the cheek is common between men and women and between women who know each other very well. 

The Hebrew greeting is “shalom.” The French greeting is “bonjour.” The Spanish greeting in “hola” and the Zulu say “sawubona” when greeting friends. 

In New Zealand people are often greeted by the Maori leaders with the traditional “Hongi” by rubbing noses.

When a younger person says hello to an older person in the Philippines, the younger person will bow and hold the right hand of the older person and press the knuckles against their forehead. When the knuckles are touching the forehead they say “Mano”(means hand) and “Po”(means respect.)

In Japan the common greeting for men and women is to bow when they meet someone. The deeper the bow, the greater level of respect in shown.

In Arab countries, close male friends or colleagues hug and kiss both cheeks. They shake hands with the right hand only, longer but less firmly than in the western world. Contact and hand shaking between men and women in public is considered rude.

Hungarians use the friendly greeting of kissing each other on the cheeks. The most common way to kiss is from your right to your left. When men meet for the first time they give a firm handshake.

In Belgium people kiss on one cheek when they meet.

The Chinese when meeting someone for the first time usually nod their head and smile or shake hands if in a formal business situation.

In Russia a typical greeting is a very firm handshake while maintaining direct eye contact. When men shake hands with women, the handshake is less intense. Men may also kiss a woman three times on alternating cheeks.

In Albania, men shake hands when greeting one another. Depending on how well the men know each other, a kiss on each cheek may be common as well. When a man meets a female relative, a kiss on each cheek or two kisses per cheek is common. With friends or colleagues normally a light handshake is appropriate. Women may shake hands or kiss each other on both cheeks.

In Armenia, a woman needs to wait for the man to offer his hand for the handshake. Between good friends and family members, a kiss on the cheek and a light hug are also common.

Always remember you are a guest in another country. Please show respect for their customs and culture.

Decide whether the following statements are true (T) or false (F) according to the passage .