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Common Greetings From Around The World

  • Writer: Erin
    Erin
  • Sep 5, 2022
  • 2 min read

Updated: Jul 31

One often overlooked aspect of traveling is greetings. Somethings are relatively common gestures, including handshakes, air & face kisses, and bows. These have developed over the years to signify respect, honor, and dignity. When traveling, it is important to understand how to greet hosts and new people you meet properly.


A vector illustration on a white background depicts a professional man and woman shaking hands. The woman, on the left, wears a white blouse, dark jacket, and dark skirt, holding a dark portfolio. The man, on the right, wears a dark suit, white shirt, and dark tie, holding a black briefcase. They face each other in profile as they shake hands.

Handshake

The handshake is one of the most common greetings across so many different cultures. The history of the handshake is thought to have its roots in showing opponents and people that you encounter that you didn’t have any weapons by extending your right hand and offering to the person you are approaching. Today it has shifted quite a bit, but it still shows a sign of an oath or bond. One important thing to note is that though a common greeting, a handshake varies from country to country. In China, a soft handshake is a great greeting, whereas a strong, firm handshake is expected in countries like Germany or the United Kingdom.


A stylized illustration depicts two women leaning in for an air kiss, with their cheeks touching. The woman on the left has brown hair and wears a straw hat, a white and pink striped t-shirt, light blue capri pants, and red sandals. The woman on the right has dark curly hair and wears a white t-shirt, green pants, and grey sneakers. They are both smiling and facing each other, with their hands behind their backs. The background is plain white, with a subtle shadow beneath their feet.

Air/Face Kisses

This is probably the second most common greeting you will see throughout Europe and Latin America. The origin of this greeting dates back to the Anglo-Saxons and is tied closely to the emotional bonds of a tight community. This greeting varies quite a bit and can consist of one kiss or a combination of two or three, depending on your country. This typically only applies to women greeting other women and occasionally women greeting men.


A stylized illustration shows a man and a woman, both bowing. The man on the left wears a dark blue suit with a light blue tie and a white shirt. His eyes are closed and his head is lowered in a bow. The woman on the right wears a dark blue vest over a white shirt, with a blue bow tied around her neck. Her eyes are also closed and her head is lowered in a similar respectful bow. They are depicted from the waist up against a plain white background.

Bow

The greeting found in many Asian countries is bowing. The history of this type of bowing stems from the Buddhist religion as a way of showing respect. After 1600 bowing was introduced into the overall cultures. This bow varies from region to region. In Japan, the bow differed in angle and time depending on the person their greeting and their social status. In some countries, pressing hands over your heart and bowing is a greeting.


Now that you know how to greet people no matter which culture you visit, you know the right way to greet new friends when traveling. It is time to put these skills to use. Schedule a consultation with me today to plan your trip, find the best way to travel, and greet others like locals.

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