Hello! 🤗
When you travel to other countries, the first word you hear or see as soon as you land at the airport is a greeting. Greeting culture is very diverse. Some countries have their own greetings and give a special name to the greeting. In this article, we will tell you about the greeting cultures of different countries.
Greeting with a handshake
Western culture (America, Europe): Handshake dates back to the ancient Romans. In Rome, in order to gain each other's trust, they shook hands to prove that they did not have weapons in their hands. Nowadays, in the business world, greeting with a strong handshake shows both confidence, strength and professionalism.
Middle East: Eastern culture also has customs of greeting by shaking hands. But the difference here varies according to gender. It is not considered appropriate to shake hands with the opposite sex. The opposite sex only greets at a distance and formally. It is also common practice to place the other hand over the heart when one hand is shaken during the greeting. This action shows respect and sincerity to the other person.
Greeting with a kiss
Latin America: In Argentina, it is common to greet someone you know by kissing one cheek. In Rio de Janeiro, they meet by kissing 3 times on the cheek (remember the grandmothers), and in Brazil, in Sao Paulo, they kiss on both cheeks. Some communities see kissing as a way to strengthen relationships.
France: Kissing on the cheek when greeting has become a tradition in France. Greeting with a kiss on the cheek, according to the French, shows sincerity and how warm and pleasant the attitude towards the other person is. Even the number of kisses varies in some regions. They greet each other by kissing twice in the capital Paris, and three times in Provence.
Greeting with a bow
Japan: Bowing is a practice with very ancient roots in Japan. A sign of mutual respect and sincerity, this greeting also defines social hierarchy and relationships. When bowing, the degree of bowing is different for people to show their purpose through their behavior. For example, a tilt of 15 degrees is enough for a normal greeting. If you want to thank the person in front of you, you should bend 30 degrees. No, if you want to apologize to the person in front of you for any mistake, then the bending degree should be 45 degrees.
Thailand: The way of greeting in Thailand is called Wai. The hands are joined in front of the chest with the palms together and the head is slightly bowed. This action shows courtesy and respect. The degree of bowing varies depending on the social status of the person in front.
Traditional greetings
India: There is probably no one who does not know this type of greeting called Namaste or Namaskar. The palms are joined in front of the chest. The head bends forward. The meaning of this greeting is somewhat deeper. It means "The divine light within me greets the light within you."
Tibet: There is a very interesting type of greeting in Tibet. Greeting by sticking out the tongue. They believe that they drive away evil spirits with this greeting. It is still used in religious ceremonies in Tibetan Buddhism to show purity.
Greeting with nose contact
Maori (New Zealand): This type of greeting with noses and foreheads touching each other is called Hongi. "Hā" - indicates the sharing of breath, so the Naori consider this greeting as "sharing the breath of life". This kind of greeting represents respect.
Inuits: Eskimos greeting is called Kunik. During this greeting, the noses and sometimes the upper lips touch each other. In cold regions, this greeting is taken as an indication of closeness and warmth.
Greetings with hand and body movements
Greece: Called "Moutza", the hands are openly extended and the fingers apart is considered disrespectful. This is because in ancient Greece, hands were used in this form to rub ashes on the face of sinners.
Africa (Zulu Tribe): Clapping hands and kneeling in greeting. This greeting behavior shows respect for those being greeted, especially leaders and clan chiefs. The greeting is called Sawubona.
Greeting with a hug
Latin America (Mexico, Brazil): In these communities, they greet each other with a warm hug to show bonds and friendship. Both a hug and a kiss together show how valuable and dear a person is.
Eastern Europe: A firm hug and pat on the back is a common greeting among men. This greeting, which shows friendliness and sincerity, is used especially when meeting someone from the close circle and family.
Verbal greeting
Arab World: When greeting someone, they say "Salamun Alaykum" and in return they use the expression "Va Aleikum Salam". The meaning of this expression is "peace be with you".
Chinese: "Nǐ hǎo" (你好) means "Hello" and is the most commonly used greeting. Also, when greeting, it is reciprocated with a slight bow.
We believe it was interesting for you. Because knowing greeting behaviors and words in different cultures gives you the opportunity to get to know the culture of that country more closely. May you have many experiences.
Happy travels! 🥰
