How do you greet people ?
By alokn99
@alokn99 (5717)
India
July 11, 2008 5:21am CST
The most common ways we greet people are
Simply saying Hi or Hello in the language we communicate in.
Shaking hands with a smile.
A pat on the back.
Namaste:- With folded hands.
A kiss on the cheek.
A hug.
We Bow to people.
We touch the feet of the elderly.
and of course there are a lot more like "Yo, what's up ".
Then there are some which are very unique to certain ethnic groups and cultures which we may not have heard about or come across.
Here is one which I have just learnt
The Maori Hangi:- welcome expressed by the rubbing or touching of noses.
Would you know of any other such greeting customs, or is there a different way you greet people ? I am keen to know more.
5 responses
@mimpi1911 (25464)
• India
11 Jul 08
Maori Hangi: that I do with my nieces and nephew. How they love it!!
Generally, I greet people in office by Hi or may be Hello. I hardly shake hands.
With family and friends I ask, 'how are you doing' in bengali. I greet elders whom I see after a long time by touching their feet.
What about you?
1 person likes this
@alokn99 (5717)
• India
11 Jul 08
With family and friends its always the traditional way as you do either in Hindi or in English. With special friends who I meet after a while its always a hug. With colleagues ahello or hi, with some of them who I want to encourage its a pat on the back. For some of the friends who are from different cultures I try and greet them in thier language. I learn in the process. I'll figure it out in Bengali, but I'm not sure if i can use it here on mylot.
@alokn99 (5717)
• India
11 Jul 08
The great number of acquaintances are now a thing of the past. A hug I know is not something a lot of people are comfortable with. I was not too, but when friends especially those a little older to me both male and female started greeting me in this way even with a light hug, with that true sense of warmth , it meant a lot to me emotionally. It gives you that reinforcement that people care. On a couple of occassions I have felt tears rolling down my eyes.
@mimpi1911 (25464)
• India
11 Jul 08
I get that you have a great list of acquaintances from various spheres of life. I have never found myself hugging anyone except for the kids. Officially I would , at the most, shake hands to greet someone from other country.
Thanks.
@joyce959 (1559)
• Philippines
12 Jul 08
I greet friends / acquaintance with 'Hi, Hello, How are you?' or Kamusta Ka? in our language. With immediate family, a hug or a kiss. With long time friends whom I haven't seen for a long time, a handshake or a hug. With our oldies, like grandparents, parents, uncles, aunts - we take one of their hands and put it on our forehead to say "mano po".
