Do you always assume that you greet someone with a handshake wherever you are in the world?
This may not be the case and you should be careful if you’re planning to travel, you might offend someone. You can never do-over a first impression, so do it right the first time around. Let’s take a look and see what is considered the “social norm”:
In Europe, Latin America and the Caribbeans, it is common for people to kiss on the cheek when greeting one another. The embrace can consist of hugs and other prolonged contact. It is even customary for a man to kiss the back of a woman’s hand following a fairly ‘limp’ handshake. If the woman pulls her hand away before the entire ‘handshake’ is completed, it is interpreted as rejection
The Malay handshake consists of both hands touching the other person’s hands, and sometimes even pulling the hands to one’s chest.
Many Asian countries incorporate variations of a bow. In China it is customary to bow slightly, while in Korea it is a combination of a slight bow and a handshake (with one, or even both hands like the Malay handshake). The Japanese also utilizes the bow, but with the individual’s palms placed on his/her thighs and doing a 90 degree bow bending at the waist.
In India, the greetings vary by age. If greeting someone older than you that you respect, you will put your hands in “prayer” and bow slightly while saying “Namaste”. Family members may hug one another but, if it is someone elderly that you are greeting, you are to bend down and touch their feet. This symbolizes a request for their blessings for a good marriage, healthy children, and more. Kissing is completely frowned upon and is only accepted when it is upon small children.
In Cambodia, one is to put their hands together in prayer. The height at which the hands are presented represents the level of respect the individual has towards the person he/she is greeting.
Those in the UK usually greet one another with a handshake, or for even less contact – a smile.
So the next time you meet someone, be conscious of what you are used to and what he/she may or may not be used to. It’s usually safe to go with a smile and a nod acknowledging someone, and a handshake if you feel appropriate. Don’t be shocked though if someone you don’t know kisses your cheek and touches your grandfather’s foot!
