Greetings from the peoples of the world or why we say hello. How they say hello in different countries

Before leaving for an unfamiliar country, it would be a good idea to find out something about its customs and norms of everyday etiquette. How not to screw up when making decent and not so good gestures with your fingers. Now let's sort out the greetings so that you can extend your hand in time and not grab it for an inappropriate kiss.

Handshake

Where?
Europe, USA, Australia, some countries in Africa, Asia, Arab countries

The habitual shaking of a familiar person's hand when meeting is one of the most common forms of greeting in the world. Even medieval knights extended their hands to each other, as if saying: “my friend, look, there is neither a sword nor an ax in my hand.” And this was a real sign of trust. Among the ancient Greeks, shaking hands was an expression of friendliness and hospitality. With such a pleasant meaning it has survived to this day. But don’t rush to put your hand forward to everyone and everywhere - there are still nuances.

Today, almost all Western Europeans shake hands. The British are a little different in this matter: they prefer to nod their heads slightly, and only let good friends touch their precious hand. In Great Britain, it is generally customary to touch your interlocutor as little as possible.

In the United States, people most often shake hands in a formal setting or when meeting for the first time. Walking around the office to shake everyone's hand on a regular workday is not customary here. Just like constantly shaking the hands of all the other people you see often.

And if you still think that a handshake is an exclusively masculine gesture, then you are deeply mistaken. In the USA and Western Europe women often shake hands with each other and with men (in situations conducive to this). So here it is important not to screw up and not be considered an unenlightened person on the topic of gender equality. And here Eastern Europe is a little behind in this regard: here the woman herself can extend her hand for greeting if she wants. Men most often do not extend their hand to women first.

As for Asia, handshakes here cannot be called a traditional form of greeting. But when a friendly Japanese sees a European, he will most likely shake his hand in a Western manner.

IN Arab countries After shaking hands, men usually press their right hand to their heart, thereby expressing respect and friendliness. Well, if very close people meet, it’s not out of place to hug and even kiss twice. Arab women They don’t shake hands, and forget about kisses and hugs right away.

Kisses

Where?
France, Belgium, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Sweden, Turkey, Latin America, Arab countries

Greeting kisses can also be completely different: from hot with passionate hugs to complete imitation with minimal pressing of cheeks to each other. Most often, people who know each other kiss when they meet, so don’t get your hopes up (or, conversely, don’t worry) - no one is going to kiss you right away.

If there are going to be kisses, it is important not to overdo it with the number of them. So, in Belgium and Italy two kisses are exchanged, in Spain - three. In the Netherlands and Sweden they kiss three times, but in Germany social kissing is not accepted. In France, acquaintances (and even strangers) release from two to five supposed kisses into the air, touching each other's cheeks in turn. In general, in France the number of kisses varies so much depending on the region that there is even a special interactive map so as not to kiss forever.

In Turkey, when meeting, men who are relatives or friends usually kiss. In Arab countries, greeting kisses from men are also quite a common thing. But kissing the opposite sex here, as we noted above, is an absolute taboo.

Embrace

Where?
Latin America, possible in Spain, Italy

Latin Americans tend to express their emotions violently. This also applies to everyday greetings. So, if you are welcome here, in addition to the standard handshakes and kisses, expect warm and sincere hugs. Most likely, only those whom they see for the first time will not get hugs (and even that is not a fact).

And yet, remember that hugs are a rather intimate thing; it is better not to be the first to hug in foreign countries. Well, you never know.

Bow

Where?
Japan, China, Korea and other Asian countries, India

Asian countries love all these ceremonial things, and bowing here is still an integral part of everyday culture. You can bow in different ways depending on who exactly you are going to bow to.

So, the Japanese, when they see a friend or acquaintance, bend forward quite a bit, about 15 degrees. Deeper bows are usually reserved for very respected people. Europeans in Japan usually shake hands, but it is better not to rush to make physical contact with the first one. Personal space is a very important thing for the Japanese, and violating it is own initiative- not a good idea.

In China, it is not very common to bow to everyone - this is considered an extremely respectful gesture, not for every mere mortal. The Chinese bow for everyday greeting is something like a normal nod of the head. Well, a handshake is becoming more and more common here, especially if you need to say hello to a person of European appearance.

You can also be greeted with a slight bow in Korea and Singapore. In India, women usually bow with their clasped palms to their chests, but men have mostly switched to handshakes.

If you get confused and forget everything

We understand that it is difficult to remember the traditions of greeting all countries. Therefore, if you suddenly get confused, just act according to the situation and do not make sudden movements. There is no need to be the first to hug and kiss another person if you are not sure that this is appropriate. But a friendly smile and a willingness to extend a hand to a new acquaintance will help you get out of most awkward situations.

Do you know that different peoples greet each other differently when meeting. For example, an ordinary handshake, in addition to the one accepted here, can be found in Central Africa.

Knowledge traditional culture behavior not only makes it possible to communicate normally with representatives of other nationalities, but also teaches you to respect other people's customs, no matter how strange and ridiculous they may seem at first glance.

In Africa, the most common handshake is a handshake, but you should not squeeze your friend's hand. The handshake should be weaker than is customary in the US and Europe. This conveys special respect for the interlocutor. If a handshake is made with two hands (the left hand supports the right), it means the absence of aggressive intentions, disposition towards the interlocutor, emphasizing social closeness with him.

In the Akamba tribe in Kenya, as a sign of deep respect, imagine, they spit on people they meet. The Maasai tribe also greets people with spitting. True, they spit on their own hands and then shake hands with others.

A Gambian would be mortally offended if he was given a left hand instead of a right hand. This kind of greeting is unacceptable.

In the Congo River basin, there is a custom to offer both hands to each other and, bending over, blow on them. Residents of Easter Island, to say hello, stand absolutely straight, clench their hands into fists, stretch them out in front of them, then raise them up above their heads, unclench their fists and finally let their hands fall freely.

New Zealanders don't need hands at all to greet someone. When greeting, they lightly rub their noses together, moving their heads up and down or from side to side.

Greetings from the Aboriginal people of New Zealand, Maori. Get ready for a little gymnastics. When met, the Maoris first shout words in a fierce and abrupt manner, then slap their hands on their thighs, then stamp their feet with all their might and bend their knees, and finally puff out their chests, bulge their eyes and occasionally stick out their tongues.

Some Malays, when greeting, put their fingers together and lightly slap each other, first on one side and then on the other. After this, they put their hands to their lips or forehead.

Among the tribes living on the shores of Lake Tanganyika, the greeting begins with those meeting each other patting each other on the stomach, then clapping their hands and shaking hands.

Egyptians and Yemenis greet each other with the same gesture, reminiscent of the salute of Soviet soldiers, with the only difference being that in the Arabic gesture the palm is placed on the forehead and turned towards the one being greeted.

Chinese in old times, when meeting another, he shook hands with himself, in our time he makes a slight bow or nod of his head or shakes hands if he greets a foreigner (according to the Western model).

In Japan, when meeting, a verbal greeting is accompanied by a ceremonial bow, the depth of which depends on the age and position of both parties. Three types of bows are used - saikeirei (the lowest), a medium bow - with an angle of thirty degrees, and a light bow - with an angle of fifteen. The most respected and wealthy people are greeted with the lowest bow.

Ainu ( ancient population Japanese Islands) when meeting, fold their hands, raise them to the forehead, turn their palms up and slap themselves - men on the beard, and women on the upper lip, after which they shake hands.

The famous phrase “Memento more”, it turns out, was also a greeting: this is how members of the Trappist order greeted each other in the Middle Ages. The monks reminded each other that a person must live with dignity in order to avoid punishment for sins in the next world.

In Korea, the greeting is often accompanied by a ceremonial bow. The depth of the bow is determined by the social and age status of the greeter and the greeted. Nowadays, the handshake is becoming more and more common (especially in the North). Moreover, the eldest, the man, gives his hand to the woman first.

When meeting, Iranians shake each other's hands, then put their right hand to their heart (and the youngest or lower on the social ladder, if he is not greeted with a handshake, only puts his hand to his heart) - a sign of greeting and deep respect.

In the Middle East, reverence and deep respect for a high-ranking person are expressed as follows: the palm of the right hand covers the left hand, both hands are lowered down and pressed to the body, which is slightly tilted forward, the head is lowered.

Among some Indian tribes, when you see a stranger, it is customary to squat down until the stranger approaches and notices you.

In most Latin American countries, in addition to a handshake when meeting, one can observe a wild expression of joy and hugs, especially among acquaintances. Women exchange kisses on the cheeks, but when they first meet, they only shake hands.
Latin Americans hug.

Greetings from the residents of Easter Island: stand up straight, clench your hands into fists, stretch them out in front of you, raise them above your head, unclench your fists and let your hands fall calmly.

When people meet, Tibetans remove their headdress with their right hand. left hand put it behind the ear and stick out the tongue.

Representatives of the New Guinean Koiri tribe tickle each other with their chins when they meet.

In Samoa, you will be misunderstood if you don't sniff your friend when you meet.

Eskimos, as a sign of greeting, hit their acquaintance with their fist on the head and shoulders.

In France, when meeting and saying goodbye in an informal setting, it is customary to kiss, touching each other’s cheeks alternately and sending one to five kisses into the air.

Samoans sniff each other.

A resident of the Andaman Islands sits on another's lap, hugs his neck and cries.

In Singapore, the greeting can be either a Western style - a handshake, or a typical Chinese one - a slight bow. In Thailand, it is not customary to shake hands when meeting: the hands are folded in front of the chest, and the person bows slightly. But in the Philippines, shaking hands is traditional. A handshake among men is also typical in Malaysia; but when greeting a woman, especially an elderly one, they make a slight bow.

In Saudi Arabia, if a guest is invited home, then after shaking hands, the host places his left hand on the guest's right shoulder and kisses him on both cheeks. If the owner’s wife is at home at this moment, then you will be introduced to her; you must behave with her in a friendly but reserved manner; it is not customary to shake hands with a woman.

In Australia, the handshake is quite vigorous.

In India, men often shake hands when greeting and saying goodbye. They don't shake a woman's hand. When greeting a Hindu woman, you should bow slightly with your hands folded in front of your chest. The traditional greeting gesture in India is to exchange bows and place the hands palms up on the chest.

It is customary for Europeans to shake hands when greeting each other (today this is also a sign of respect), but this also has its own nuances. The British, unlike the Russians, very rarely shake hands with each other when meeting (they limit themselves to a slight nod of the head forward) and almost never do this when parting. Hugging is generally not accepted in England. English police officers do not welcome people approaching them for information or help.

In Spain, in addition to the traditional handshake typical of business meetings, greetings are often accompanied by hugs and loud expressions of joy (from friends and good acquaintances); women kiss each other on the cheek. Italians love to shake hands and gesture. The French greet each other with a light handshake or a kiss.

In the US, shaking hands is more common on formal occasions than on social occasions. Everyday life, and is also used as a greeting when meeting people. Usually a handshake is not observed between people who see each other often or know each other through business. Women shake hands if they meet for the first time, and one of the interlocutors is the guest of honor. When a man meets a woman, they may or may not shake hands, but the woman extends her hand first. Sometimes it occurs awkward pause due to the fact that people of the opposite sex do not know whether they should shake hands.
If two Americans who know each other meet, they have a moment of greeting called a “flash of eyebrows”; this movement is, as it were, a signal to approach each other, and not just look and pass by. Typically the greeting starts at about 12 feet away (but can be longer in unpopulated areas). Typical behavior of an American at a long distance: he waves his hand, turns, greets, and the greeters walk towards each other, then extend their hands for a handshake (if they are friends or acquaintances), some men and women kiss, close acquaintances or relatives who have not seen each other for a long time , hugging. An American can smile to a stranger who accidentally meets his gaze, wink at an acquaintance (in cities and towns of the South and West, where people are more connected with each other), nod his head (in rural areas). In American culture, a kiss as a sign of greeting is accepted only among family or very close friends (but not between men); you can kiss an older woman.

Russians shake hands with each other and say “hello” or “good afternoon.”

Arab countries. When meeting, people cross their arms over their chests.

Mongolia. When people meet, they say to each other, “Are your cattle healthy?”

And in ancient times, the Tuareg tribe, living in the deserts, had a very complex and long greeting. It began when two more people were about a hundred meters apart from each other and could last as long as half an hour! The Tuaregs bowed, jumped, made faces...

The Russian peacekeepers were greeted in Yugoslavia in a very original way: during the NATO bombing, the locals said to ours instead of “Hello” - “S-300”, hinting that it was time to start retaliatory strikes.

By the way, in the thirties in Germany, some, risking freedom and life, shouted at rallies instead of Heil Hitler “Halb liter”, that is, half a liter.

On today's World Hello Day, we decided to talk about how it is customary to say hello in different countries peace, so that those who like to travel would not be at a loss when expressing their respect when meeting a foreigner on his territory.

The French, for example, say “kaman sava” and touch their cheeks three times, imitating kisses from the ancient ritual of initiation into knighthood. Latin Americans exclaim “buenos dias” and rush to hug each other, patting each other on the shoulders. Residents of Samoa sniff each other like dogs, Iranians press their palm to their heart after shaking hands, and among the Tuareg tribes the greeting ritual can take up to half an hour of pure time. The world of greetings is amazing and diverse, just like the world itself. And when traveling, it is important not to make a mistake, given that an accidental gesture can lead to a domestic conflict.

Japanese bows, accompanied by the memorable “konnichiwa” (which literally means “the day has come”), are generally the talk of the town and simply a vibrant tradition. A tradition that, even under the pressure of globalization, the inhabitants of the Country rising sun They do not try to violate even in relation to guests, so to speak, “gaijins”. Therefore, you will have to take into account and adapt, remembering the three types of bows. Saikeirei - the most respectful, addressed to a person of high social status or a venerable elder, hangs at an angle of approximately 45 degrees; 30 and 15 degrees are the angles of inclination of the body when greeting the Japanese with a person occupying a lower position in society or simply with a much more familiar one. And don’t hesitate to ask about the status right away and in person, even before greeting, because the Japanese themselves or the same Koreans from the south, whose country is for a long time was under Japanese rule and adopted many traditions.

But the inhabitants of the Middle Kingdom have a much better attitude towards new foreign trends. The Chinese do their best to greet the European style, by the hand, but mainly with the big-eyed guests of the country, thereby expressing their respect and respect to them. And the best way to show respect to the inhabitants of the Celestial Empire is with their traditional gesture, which in our country is considered the favorite gesture of politicians from Hollywood movies - shaking hands with yourself, with your hands raised above your head. And don’t be at a loss if a group of Chinese decides to applaud you a little when you meet - it really takes a long time to greet everyone and there is no need, and it’s better to clap your hands in response.

No less famous than Japanese bows is the “anjali” greeting gesture, common in India - those same palms folded together, pressed to the chest. But to the chest is a neutral position of the hands, addressed to a stranger whose social status it is not possible to determine. And if it works out, and the social position of the person you meet inspires respect, then your hands rise higher, with the forehead as the maximum point. And this gesture is far from only Indian - a similar style of greeting is widespread throughout Southeast Asia, and, say, in Thailand it is accompanied by a sonorous “wa-a-ay.”

If you remember the second part of the comedy film about the misadventures of a pet detective named Ace Ventura, then you should know that the greeting with spitting (and often in the face) was not taken out of the blue, but is actually common among some African tribes. For example, it is present among the Kenyan Akamba tribe, popular among lovers of ethnographic recreation, so it’s worth keeping in mind. Even more popular among tourists who love to spend their holidays among wild but hospitable tribes, the Maasai customarily greet each other with a handshake, but with the condition that you should definitely spit on your own hand. And only with the second spit - the first is done on the ground, otherwise this is already an expression of disrespect.

Another place for ethnographic recreation is Greenland, a place where among the Eskimos men greet each other with gentle blows to the back and head, which amazingly does not fit with the basis of all gestures and traditions of greeting - to show the stranger your peaceful and respectful attitude.

Travelers to New Zealand will certainly be able to see the traditional greeting of the Maori people - the hongi. This way of greeting has a centuries-old history and involves touching noses when meeting. Rubbing noses together is a symbolic act of invoking the “ha,” or “breath of life,” which goes directly back to the gods. Those who have undergone this ritual are no longer considered a “manuhiri” (“visitor”), but become a “tangata whenua” - “a man of the earth.”

Tibet

In most parts of the world, sticking out your tongue would be considered indecent, but not in Tibet. Here it is traditional way greetings. The tradition dates back to the 9th century, to the reign of the Tibetan persecutor king Landarma, who had a black tongue. The Tibetans were afraid that Landarma would be reincarnated, so in order to prove that they were not evil, they began to greet each other by sticking out their tongues. This tradition continues until today. It is often complemented by crossing the palms over the chest.

Tuvalu

Travelers heading to the Polynesian island nation of Tuvalu should be prepared to be close to local people greeting them. The traditional greeting in Tuvalu involves one person pressing their face to the other's cheek and taking a deep breath.

Mongolia

Inviting unknown person to the house, the Mongol presents him with a strip of silk or cotton, which is called hada. It is usually white in color, but can also be light blue or light yellow. If you are honored to receive hada, then you need to accept it with both hands with a slight bow. Handing over the hada and bowing is a sign of deep mutual respect, highly valued in Mongolian culture.

Japan

Greeting is very important in Japanese culture, and bowing is an integral part of it. It can range from a slight nod of the head to a deep bow from the waist. If the greeting ritual takes place on tatami, a traditional Japanese flooring, then you must first kneel and then bow. The longer and lower the bow, the more respect you show. Small nods of the head as a casual, informal greeting are more common among young people.

Kenya

Travelers in Kenya will undoubtedly meet representatives of one of the most famous Maasai tribes in the country. Those who are lucky enough to observe the unique traditions and rituals of the tribe will certainly remember the energetic welcome dance. It is called "adamu" ("jumping dance") and is performed by the warriors of the tribe. It begins with a story or story, after which the dancers form a circle and begin to compete with each other in the height of their jumps, which is intended to show the guests of the tribe the strength and courage of its members.

Greenland

In many Arctic regions, including Greenland, the traditional greeting of the Eskimos, or Inuit, is called kunik. It is used mainly between family members and lovers. During this greeting, one of the people meeting presses his nose and upper lip to the skin of another person and breathes. They also have some Western peoples adopted the tradition of the “Eskimo kiss” - rubbing noses together.

China

The traditional Chinese greeting is called koutou and involves folding your hands and bowing. For women, this ritual is called “wanfu”: representatives of the fairer sex must join their hands and move them down along their body. The koutou tradition dates back to the time of the legendary Emperor Huang Di (Yellow Emperor). This greeting was originally used when meeting the emperor or during other ceremonies, such as marriages.

Thailand

A sophisticated Thai greeting tradition is called wai. The greeter should put his palms together as if he were praying, place them on his head, bow and say “sawaddy”. Travelers to Thailand may notice that hand positions vary: the higher the hands are in relation to the face, the more respect is shown to the person being greeted. The tradition was originally used to signify the absence of weapons, which was perceived as the highest sign of respect. "Wai" is still widely used throughout Thailand.

Philippines

Visitors to the Philippines will be able to see another unusual tradition greet. When a younger person greets an older person, he should bend slightly, take the older person's right hand with his right hand, and then touch his interlocutor's forehead with his knuckles. In this case, the younger person must pronounce “mano po” (“mano” - “hand”, “po” - “respect”).
Text and photos: Hotels.com, the leading online hotel booking portal

A handshake says "hello" in America, but the gesture raises eyebrows in other parts of the world. Each country has its own traditions. Here are a few unusual ways, which people say hello to all over the world:

In some African countries, young people must do more than say “yes sir” or “yes ma’am” when addressing elders. Traditionally, when talking to an older person, you should fall to your knees. This shows respect for them. And male children must actually lie down in front of their elders and parents and wait until they are allowed to stand up.
And one thing you should never do is shake hands.

Americans don't really like to violate others' personal space, but in France it's different. There, when meeting, it is customary to kiss each other. Even strangers.

“These kisses look very funny because very often the French don’t even know how many kisses to give,” says blogger Samson Adepoye. It all depends on the region or holiday. For example, on New Year's Eve you can give an infinite number of kisses.

When Susan Eckert, owner of the Adventure Woman travel company, was a Peace Corps volunteer in Sierra Leone, she learned that when shaking hands, you must place your right hand in the left hand of the person of higher rank.

“This handshake implies that you respect the person you are shaking hands with,” she said. People can also touch their heart with their right hand after shaking hands, enhancing the effect.

“When visiting someone's home in Costa Rica, you should not knock. Instead, you should shout "Oooooooope!" says James Kaiser, author of Costa Rica: The Complete Guide.

This is a greeting you won't hear anywhere else in Latin America, is derived from the longer expression "Ave Maria Santesima nuestra Madre la Virgen de Guadalupe".

You can say “hi” in New Zealand by rubbing noses or foreheads. This tradition, called Hongi, comes from ancient tribe Maori from New Zealand. Others call this greeting "breath of life." Even Princess Kate Middleton performed this very personal tradition during her visit to the country in 2014.

When Doug Fodeman from Brookwood School in Manchester arrived as a teacher exchange student at a girls' school in Rwanda in 2012, he was taken aback by the local welcome. Here, to shake someone's hand, the person makes a fist, turns it down and offers their wrist. Fodeman soon learned that if a person's hands were dirty, he would present his wrist instead of his palm. And if both people have dirty hands, they will touch their wrists together.

If you are going to Fiji, then prepare for a whole welcome ceremony. It's called "kava". During the ritual, you will have to drink a special brew from half a coconut, clap your hands and shout “Bula!” The drink tastes terrible, but it's part of the daily lifestyle here.

The greeting is a bit like Namaste in yoga and Sanskrit. Thai Wai is a traditional greeting that involves pressing your palms together and then bowing your head forward. "By greeting each other with Wai, people are showing respect," says Jenny Shute, a Thai-American scholar at the University of Illinois at Chicago. - “The deeper the bow, the greater the sign of respect.”

Traveler Katie Rees, who visited the Maasai tribe in Kenya in 2012 while on vacation, discovered a touching way to greet local children. Children bow their heads in respect to visitors to touch their heads, and expect a reciprocal touch with the palm of their hand.

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