Nama : Kadek Losinanda Prawira
NIM : 2115101046
Rombel :1
Mata Kuliah : MPK Bahasa Inggris
Dosen Pengampu : Luh Putu Dian Kresnawati, S.Pd., M.Pd.
Greeting Custom around the World
A guide through various interesting gestures and greeting cultures
Each country in the world certainly has its unique way of greeting someone. Sometimes,
unfamiliar greeting cultures can be confusing. For example, different greeting gestures are
determined based on gender. Something like that should be considered when someone wants to
travel to another country. So, it’s better to learn greeting cultures from some countries, both for
formal or informal situations. That is important to create a better interaction and understanding
when greeting or communicating. That is also important to show respect to the culture and not to
offend someone.
In the USA, casual greetings like a handshake, a smile, and say ‘hello’ will be alright. For
men, it's uncommon to kiss when they greet each other.
The British greeting is quite same to the USA greeting. They often simply say ‘hello’
when they meet friends or shake hands only when they meet for the first time. In informal
situations, social kissing on the cheek between men and women and also between women who
know each other very well will do just fine.
French nationals shake hands with their friends and usually kiss them on both cheeks
while meeting or leaving. This greeting also applies to the children there.
Japan greeting is different. Instead of giving a casual handshake or a hug, they
commonly use a bowing gesture when they greet someone.
Similar to Japan, people in India greet with 'namaste'. But, this is done with a slight bow
by placing both hands together. It shows respect and appreciation for Indian customs. There is a
restriction that men don't touch women when meeting or greeting. Western women can offer
their hand to a westernized Indian man, but it's unusual to others. Also, traditional Indian women
can do a handshake with foreign women, but unusually with men.
In Arab countries, a hug and kiss on both cheeks are usually done by close male friends
or colleagues. They do a less-firmly handshake with the right hand, but longer than in the West.
Never try to offer to shake hands or make contact with the opposite sex in public because it is
considered obscene.
Alike England and France greetings, people in Belgium will kiss on one cheek when they
meet, no matter what is their gender or how well their relationship.
In a formal situation, Chinese people often do a handshake. But when meeting someone
for the first time, they would often nod their heads and smile. That's why their greeting called to
tend to be more conservative.
In Russia, the typical greeting is a very firm handshake where it looks like you’re trying
to crush each other's knuckles. Right then and there, we also have to maintain direct eye contact.
However, shaking hands can be less firmly between man and woman. Kissing a woman three
times while alternating cheeks, and even kissing a hand is arguably a brave act.
