Global Etiquette Handshakes and Greetings Worldwide by Maralyn D
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Business Global Etiquette Handshakes and Greetings Worldwide By Maralyn D. Hill any of us have heard the and rank matter and the most senior their hand first. Women usually avoid shaking hands, Pakistan – Handshakes are common, Thailand – The Thai tradition expression, “You have one are introduced first. Someone may instead, they clasp forearms. but close friends embrace. A man is the “wai,” made when you chance to make a first introduce themselves with full name, Russia – Generally, a Russian will state should not touch or shake hands place both hands together impression.” Your handshake full titles, and company name. If that his name and shake hands during a first Costa Rica – Men shake hands and with a woman in public. Be sure not in a prayer position at the and/or greeting are part of happens, you should do the same. Be meeting. When greeting friends, there women kiss each other once on to give or receive anything with chest. However, if you are Mthat impression. I cannot begin to sure to wait for the Chinese to offer may be hugging and cheek kissing. the cheek. your left hand. in a Westernized social cover all countries, so I will cover their hand. They may avert their eyes setting, handshaking what I know. In addition, times have as a sign of respect and you may The Philippines – A handshake for men Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama – Friends nod and embrace, may take place. Wait changed and new customs are being receive applause. and women. Sometimes, a pat on the Mexico – Handshake for first meeting, with shaking hands appropriate among for the person in introduced. That does not necessarily back for men. women who are close friends kiss on business associates. charge to initiate mean they are being adopted. Denmark, Finland, Ireland, Norway the cheek and men embrace. the process. and Sweden – Shake hands on meeting Singapore – The handshake is the Paraguay – People stand very close, My references have included “Do’s and and leaving with a firm brief most common. Among Orientals, they El Salvador – Handshaking usual, men frequently embrace and women Venezuela – Men Taboos Around the World,” “Modern handshake and eye contact. may make a slight bow. but some just nod. kiss each other on both cheeks. greet with a hug and Manners,” as well as numerous articles women with an embrace I’ve read and experiences I’ve Germany – Brief firm handshakes for Taiwan – For acquaintances and Fiji – A smile and raised eyebrows Peru – Shake hands when meeting and and kiss on the cheek. encountered. Some conflict, so I’d all, both greeting and leaving. Be sure friends, a handshake is usual. When are your greeting, but handshakes leaving. Men will frequently give close Shaking hands is personally go with the lead of my not to have one hand in pocket. meeting someone for the first time, are appropriate. friends a hug and women friends often also common. host, to whom I’m being introduced. Italy – Handshaking and gesturing a nod of the head does it. will kiss on the cheek. I’ve gone with my experience. are done by most, as well as using France – Use a brief and light Names titles if someone has one. A man waits United Kingdom – People generally handshake with everyone when Portugal – Men tend to hug and slap Bangladesh – With men, shake Handshakes for a woman to offer her hand. greet with handshakes. However, not greeting and leaving. A man might each other’s back enthusiastically. For hands (not as firm as U.S.), when There is a new modified handshake firm handshakes like the U.S. A lighter present his hand to a woman, and kiss women who are close acquaintances, introduced to a woman, nod and speak called “fist bumps.” Scientists claim it The Gulf States (Bahrain, Kuwait, handshake is appreciated. the top of her hand. Friends and family a kiss on both checks is common. a greeting. Be sure not to give or is the most hygienic and recommend Sultanate of Oman, Qatar, and usually hug and kiss both cheeks. receive anything with your left hand. it. Will it catch on? I’m not counting United Arab Emirates) and Saudi Hugs, Kisses, Etc. Puerto Rico – Shake hands, but close on it. Customs and traditions play a Arabia – Usually, they say “salaam Greece – Almost anything goes. friends frequently embrace. Women Finland – Better to use names for huge role in greetings and I’d pick the alaykum,” then shake hands and say Argentina – Men tend to hug each other The Greeks may kiss or offer a firm tend to grasp each other’s shoulders greetings. Avoid invading space. choice of following my host’s lead. “kaif halak.” The host may put his and women with shake hands using both handshake at every meeting. and kiss each other on the cheek. left hand on your right shoulder and hands, while kissing on the cheek. Puerto Ricans stand quite close Iceland – Greet with first names. In the United States, a woman or kiss you on both cheeks or take your India – Whereas men shake hands while talking. man may offer their hand first for hand and hold it as your walk. It is Belgium – Cheek kissing is done three with men on meeting and leaving, Israel – “Shalom” is the accepted a handshake. However, on a global considered an insult to pull your hand times, as you alternate cheeks. You not women. Men should place palms Sri Lanka – A light handshake and do greeting. basis, a woman offers her hand first. away sharply, as holding on is a sign also shake hands when greeting and together and bow slightly and not not to give or receive anything with of friendship. Lingering handshakes departing. Be sure to have good eye touch a woman or talk to one who your left hand. In advance, I apologize if I have Algeria, Ghana, Hong Kong, and are to be expected. Women are not contact. is alone in public. left out a particular country or not Kenya – Both when meeting and included in this exchange. South Africa – Handshaking, talking covered a custom as accurately as departing, a handshake is in order. Brazil – Brazilians frequently embrace Indonesia – Shaking hands with a nod and backslapping all go together. it could be explained. For the sake Ivory Coast, Morocco, Tanzania, on the street, shake hands on meeting of the head is proper for first time of space, I minimized descriptions. Australia – A good hearty handshake Uganda and Zambia – Handshaking and leaving, and women meeting introductions. South Korea – Men bow slightly to The main purpose of this article is is welcome. is the custom. exchange kisses cheek to cheek and each other while shaking hands, using to broaden your awareness of kissing the air or light cheek kisses. Japan – No handshake, just a slight both hands or the right hand. Women different customs of different Bolivia and Uruguay – Handshaking Luxembourg and The Netherlands – It is quite common for Brazilians bow of the head, is appropriate for nod, and in general, do not shake cultures. Some cultures are is common. Be sure to have a light handshake to stand quite close and touch the Westerners. If you are dealing with hands, and especially not with men. uncomfortable if you are too close coming and going with everyone, person. Handshakes may linger. a Western-educated Japanese and others like to get up close. The Austria, Canada and Switzerland – while keeping eye contact. individual, you will probably be Spain – Men who are friends will better we can understand each other, Firm handshakes are usual on meeting Chile – On first introduction, a greeted with a handshake and frequently hug, while women will the better we can communicate. and departing with good eye contact. Malaysia – Shaking hands is common handshake is usual, with a kiss on the eye contact. give a slight embrace and kiss on I certainly would look forward to any among men, but not as frequent right cheek. Male Chileans may give each cheek. comments you might have on aspects Caribbean – In general, shaking hands between men and women. another male a hug and women usually Nicaragua – Smile, shake hands, close I may have overlooked or situations on meeting and leaving is practiced. kiss each other on the cheek. friends embrace and pat back. Women Tahiti – Most shake hands on meeting. you’ve encountered. Just send your New Zealand – Handshakes on meeting generally give a slight hug and kiss Tahitians normally kiss on the cheeks letter to [email protected] China – Handshakes are acceptable and leaving are appropriate. If women Colombia – Men will shake hands with each other on the cheek. during greeting. Subject Line: Letter to Editor. and a slight bow is appreciated. Age are present, wait for them to offer everyone when entering or leaving. 42 43 Business Global Etiquette Handshakes and Greetings Worldwide By Maralyn D. Hill any of us have heard the and rank matter and the most senior their hand first. Women usually avoid shaking hands, Pakistan – Handshakes are common, Thailand – The Thai tradition expression, “You have one are introduced first. Someone may instead, they clasp forearms. but close friends embrace. A man is the “wai,” made when you chance to make a first introduce themselves with full name, Russia – Generally, a Russian will state should not touch or shake hands place both hands together impression.” Your handshake full titles, and company name. If that his name and shake hands during a first Costa Rica – Men shake hands and with a woman in public. Be sure not in a prayer position at the and/or greeting are part of happens, you should do the same.