Greetings Around the World: A Complete Guide

Knowing how to greet someone correctly when visiting another country can help you avoid awkward moments and build meaningful relationships. Each culture has special traditions, ranging from simple handshakes to unique gestures that might surprise you. Here's how people greet each other in many countries worldwide:

Greetings in Europe

France: Cheek Kisses ("La Bise")

In France, friends and close acquaintances usually greet each other by kissing lightly on the cheeks. People typically give two kisses, starting from the right cheek. The number of kisses, however, can change depending on the region—some areas even give three or four kisses!
When meeting someone for the first time or in professional situations, a simple handshake is common instead.

Germany: Firm Handshake

In Germany, greetings are usually formal. A short, firm handshake while making direct eye contact is the standard way to say hello. It’s important not to shake too strongly (as it might seem aggressive) or too softly (as it might seem weak). Germans appreciate a confident, clear greeting.

Spain: Shake Hands and Cheek Kisses

In Spain, you greet everyone individually, beginning with the oldest person in the room as a sign of respect. With strangers or in business situations, a handshake is common. Friends and family greet by giving two kisses on the cheeks—first the right cheek, then the left. Sometimes, close friends will hug as well.

Greece: Handshakes, Back-slaps, and Kisses

Greek people often greet each other warmly. Friends commonly greet with a handshake and a gentle pat or slap on the back, showing friendliness and closeness. Close friends and family members might add a kiss on the cheek. In formal settings, a firm handshake is the norm.

Ukraine: Triple Kiss Greeting

In Ukraine, people greet friends, family, or acquaintances warmly with three kisses on alternating cheeks—left, then right, then left again. This greeting shows closeness and friendliness. A simple handshake is acceptable for more formal occasions or with strangers.

Russia: Firm Handshake

Russians often greet each other with a firm handshake. Among men, a strong handshake while maintaining direct eye contact shows respect and confidence. Women sometimes greet each other or male friends with a cheek kiss, but in professional settings, a handshake is most common.

Uruguay: One Air Kiss for Everyone

In Uruguay, greetings are informal and relaxed. People greet each other with a single air kiss on the cheek, even between men. This gesture is friendly but brief, and the cheek barely touches. A quick hug or handshake may also accompany the kiss, depending on closeness and familiarity.

Greenland (Inuit): Kunik ("Eskimo Kiss")

Among Inuit communities in Greenland, there is a special greeting called "Kunik," commonly known as an Eskimo kiss. It involves gently pressing your nose and upper lip against the cheek or forehead of the other person and breathing softly. This greeting is very personal, reserved for family members and close friends, and is not typically used in formal situations.

Greetings in the Middle East & North Africa

Iran: Salam, Hugs, and Three Kisses

In Iran, greetings are warm and friendly. People usually start by saying "Salam," meaning "peace" or "hello." When greeting relatives or close friends, Iranians often hug and give three kisses on alternating cheeks. It is also common to ask about health and family during greetings, showing genuine care and respect. When greeting someone new or older, making eye contact might be avoided at first as a sign of respect.

Oman: Handshake and Cheek Kiss

In Oman, greetings begin with shaking hands, always starting with the oldest person in the group. People greet each person individually as a sign of respect. Men often follow handshakes with a brief kiss on the cheek, although this tradition is becoming less common nowadays. Women typically greet other women similarly, but handshakes between men and women depend on personal or religious preferences—sometimes men will politely refuse to shake hands with women.

Kuwait & Gulf Region: Nose Kiss

In Kuwait and other Gulf countries such as Qatar, Yemen, and the UAE, people often greet close friends or equals by gently pressing noses together. This gesture is called a "nose kiss," but it isn’t romantic; it symbolizes friendship, respect, and equality. Usually, this greeting includes two or three gentle taps of the nose. For formal occasions or with strangers, a handshake is more common.

Arabic-speaking Countries: Salaam Gesture

Across many Arabic-speaking countries, the "Salaam" gesture is commonly used. People greet each other by slightly bowing their heads, placing their right hand lightly on their forehead or over their heart, and saying "As-salamu alaykum," meaning "Peace be upon you." This respectful gesture originated centuries ago and is often used in formal or respectful situations, symbolizing goodwill and peace.

Greetings in Asia

Japan: Respectful Bowing

In Japan, greetings usually involve bowing. The deeper and longer the bow, the more respect it shows. A slight bow or a small nod is common between friends or equals, while a deeper bow is used in formal situations or when greeting someone older or of higher status. Handshakes are not very common, but they are sometimes used when meeting foreigners.

India: Namaste and Pranama

In India, the most common greeting is "Namaste." To perform Namaste, people place their palms together at their chest with fingers pointing upwards, and bow slightly. This greeting is respectful and can mean both hello and goodbye.

When greeting elders or respected persons, Indians perform "Pranama." This means touching or gently bowing down to touch the elder person's feet. This gesture shows deep respect, humility, and honor toward the wisdom and experience of elders.

Thailand: Wai

In Thailand, people greet each other with a gesture called the "Wai." To perform the wai, people place their palms together, similar to praying, and bow their head slightly. The position of the hands is important—the higher the hands (up to forehead level), the greater the respect shown. Younger or lower-status individuals always initiate the wai first.

Cambodia: Sampeah

In Cambodia, people use a greeting called "Sampeah," similar to the Thai Wai. People press their palms together at chest level, bow their heads slightly, and say hello. As in Thailand, the higher the hands are placed, the more respect is shown. It is commonly used for greetings and farewells, especially in formal situations.

Tibet: Tongue Out

In Tibet, some people greet each other by playfully sticking out their tongues. This greeting dates back to an ancient Tibetan king known for his cruelty and his supposed black tongue. Tibetans began showing their tongues to prove they were friendly and peaceful, and the gesture has survived today as a fun and friendly greeting.

China (Traditional): Kowtow

Historically, in traditional Chinese culture, the "Kowtow" greeting involved kneeling and touching one's forehead to the ground. This greeting was a sign of great respect or submission, often used when meeting people of very high status, like emperors or important leaders. Today, kowtow is rarely practiced, except occasionally in traditional ceremonies or in very rural areas.

Philippines: Mano

In the Philippines, younger people greet elders respectfully with a gesture called "Mano." The younger person gently takes the elder’s hand and presses it against their forehead, often saying "Mano po," meaning "Please bless me." This greeting shows respect, asking for the elder’s blessing and wisdom.

Singapore: Palms to Chest

In Singapore, a common greeting involves sliding palms together, moving them toward the chest, and placing one hand over the heart. This gesture symbolizes sincerity and goodwill. Because Singapore is multicultural, greeting styles may vary slightly between ethnic groups, but this respectful hand gesture is universally accepted there.

Malaysia: Right Hand on the Heart

In Malaysia, greetings are polite and respectful. People typically greet by lightly holding or touching hands briefly. Then, to show respect, they place their right hand gently on their own heart. The oldest or most senior person is always greeted first. Men generally wait for women to initiate a handshake first, out of respect and modesty.

Greetings in Africa

Ethiopia: Long Handshake and Questions

In Ethiopia, greetings are usually warm and take time. People shake hands and maintain eye contact while asking many questions about each other’s family, health, and general well-being. Close friends and relatives often kiss three times on alternating cheeks to show affection and closeness.

Botswana: Complex Handshake

In Botswana, greetings involve a detailed handshake. First, people shake hands, then interlock their thumbs, sometimes gently raising their hands up. After this complex handshake, people often place a hand gently over their heart as a symbol of sincerity and friendship.

Kenya: Handshake and Maasai Greetings

Throughout Kenya, people shake hands warmly with every individual present. Among the Maasai tribe in Kenya (also in Tanzania), there is a unique tradition: people lightly spit onto their palms before shaking hands. This symbolic gesture means good luck, blessings, and health.

Zimbabwe: Clapping after Handshake

In Zimbabwe, greetings start with a handshake followed by two claps. Men clap with flat, straight hands, while women clap their hands angled slightly. Sometimes, women kneel slightly, and men might bend down onto one knee as a sign of respect.

Mozambique: Clapping before Greeting

In northern Mozambique, it’s traditional to clap three times before greeting someone. This friendly, respectful custom shows enthusiasm and warmth before shaking hands or starting a conversation.

Niger (Kanouri Tribe): Shaking Fists and Saying "Wooshay!"

The Kanouri people in Niger greet each other uniquely by raising a closed fist to head level, gently shaking it, and saying "Wooshay!", which means "Hello!" This enthusiastic gesture shows friendliness and excitement.

Benin: Snapping Fingers During Handshake

In Benin, young people and friends greet each other by shaking hands and snapping fingers. They hold hands briefly and then snap their fingers, creating a loud and joyful sound. This greeting shows friendship and familiarity, and is common among younger generations.

Central African Republic: Hand-Slap and Finger-Snapping

In the Central African Republic, friends greet by slapping hands together and then grabbing and snapping each other's fingers. This playful greeting is used among close friends. In more formal settings, a simple handshake is preferred.

Gabon: Two-Handed Handshake

In Gabon, people greet each other respectfully by shaking hands using both hands. Holding the other person's hand gently with both hands shows respect, kindness, and sincerity. Close friends might also exchange up to four kisses on alternating cheeks.

Zambia: Thumb-Squeezing Handshake

In Zambia, greetings usually involve a handshake, often with added details. People squeeze thumbs gently and support their right elbow with their left hand during the handshake. This gesture signifies respect and friendliness, especially among elders or respected individuals.

Rwanda: Hand-holding and Three Hugs

In Rwanda, greetings typically begin with a handshake, but people often hold both hands for the entire greeting and even during conversation. Among close friends or family, three warm hugs are common, and women may greet each other with cheek kisses.

South Africa: Pinky-Finger Interlock

In South Africa, friends often greet each other with a special handshake. They interlock pinky fingers, clasp fists briefly, and then return to interlocking pinkies. This playful greeting symbolizes friendship, trust, and closeness.

Greetings in the Americas

USA: Handshake and Fist Bump

In the United States, a handshake is the most common greeting, especially in professional situations or when meeting someone for the first time. A firm, brief handshake with eye contact shows confidence and respect. For casual greetings among friends, the fist bump is popular. It’s a friendly gesture used by athletes and famously by President Barack Obama. It involves lightly tapping closed fists together.

Brazil: Cheek Kisses and Hugs

In Brazil, greetings are warm and informal. People greet each other with light cheek kisses, where the number varies depending on the region—usually one, two, or even three kisses. Men generally greet other men with a handshake or sometimes a friendly hug if they're close friends. Women greet men and women with cheek kisses, gently touching cheeks without actually kissing the skin.

Argentina: Single Cheek Kiss

In Argentina, people greet each other with a single kiss on the right cheek, even among men. This greeting is casual, friendly, and used widely between friends, family, acquaintances, and even new introductions. It shows warmth and openness, making greetings in Argentina feel relaxed and welcoming.

Greetings in Oceania & Pacific Islands

New Zealand (Māori): Hongi

Among the Māori people of New Zealand, the traditional greeting is called the "Hongi." It involves two people gently pressing their noses and foreheads together while breathing softly. This symbolic gesture represents the "sharing of breath," uniting two people spiritually and physically. It’s typically used at important ceremonies or formal meetings.

Polynesia (Hawaii, Samoa, Tahiti): Honi

In Polynesian cultures, including Hawaii, Samoa, and Tahiti, a similar greeting called the "Honi" is used. Two people greet by pressing noses together and inhaling at the same time. This gesture represents the exchange of breath (called "ha"), which is believed to carry life energy or spiritual power ("mana"). It’s common at cultural ceremonies, among family members, or during important occasions.

Tuvalu: Cheek Sniffing

In Tuvalu, a small island nation in the Pacific, greetings among family or close friends involve pressing cheeks together and sniffing deeply. This friendly and affectionate gesture symbolizes sharing breath and closeness. For strangers or formal settings, a handshake is more appropriate.

Micronesia: Raising Eyebrows

In Micronesia, greetings can be very casual and simple. People often quickly raise their eyebrows to say hello or to acknowledge someone’s presence. It’s a friendly, relaxed gesture that doesn't require physical contact and is often used when people see each other from a distance or in passing.

Special Notes on Greetings

Greet Older People First

In many cultures, especially in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, it’s important to greet the oldest or most senior people first. This shows respect for their wisdom, age, and experience.

Ask About Health and Family

In countries like Ethiopia, Iran, and many Arab nations, it’s polite and caring to ask about someone's health, family, or general well-being when greeting them. This shows kindness, sincerity, and genuine interest in the other person’s life.

Gestures Can Be Easier

Sometimes gestures can communicate better than words. Gestures like bowing, handshakes, or placing a hand over the heart can be universally understood, helping you avoid confusion or mistakes, especially when language might be a barrier.

Observe and Learn

If you're not sure how to greet someone, watch how local people do it first, or politely ask about their customs. People usually appreciate your effort to respect their traditions and will happily help you learn.

Gender Considerations (Especially in Iran)

In Iran and many other Middle Eastern or Islamic countries, greetings between men and women follow specific customs. Typically, men greet men, and women greet women with hugs, kisses, or handshakes. However, men and women who are not closely related usually avoid physical contact. Instead, they politely greet each other verbally or by placing their hand over their heart and slightly bowing the head.

In professional or formal situations in Iran, it's common for men to wait for women to extend their hand first. If a woman doesn’t offer her hand, a respectful verbal greeting or a slight bow is appropriate. Understanding these cultural norms helps you show respect and avoid uncomfortable situations.

Greeting customs around the world are diverse and reflect each culture’s history, values, and traditions. Being mindful of them makes your interactions smoother and more enjoyable.