When abroad, correctly greeting locals could be the difference between coming off as a clueless tourist and a well-traveled globetrotter. Don’t leave home before you know whether to shake, kiss, high five or bow upon meeting new friends on your tour. Do you know your French bise from your Kiwi nose-rubbing smooch?
Western Europe
France is well known for “les bises” or air kisses, which sometimes make contact with cheek and sometimes do not, depending on how well you know the person you’re saying hello to. Don’t forget—it is certainly still customary when distributing les bises to make sure everyone in the group you’ve just encountered is included. (And they say the French are clique-y.) Les bises vary throughout France. When in Provence, three kisses are given. And in Nantes, four are exchanged, always on alternating cheeks. (Imagine greeting a party of 10.) In Spain, les bises continue but not between men unless they’re relatives. Spaniards traditionally stand much closer to each other when talking, rapidly gesturing with their hands. Don’t mimic, but do dive in! You’ll be an obvious American if you step back to a more conservative distance. Not so touchy-feely? In England and Ireland, all you have to do is tip your hat.
India and South East Asia
A bow is a bow right? Wrong! This traditional form of greeting across India and Southeast Asia varies between regions. In India, place your hands in a prayer position on your chest, facing upward. Slightly bow and say Namaste which means “The spirit in me respects the spirit in you.” Intense, no? You definitely cannot respond with a “What’s up?” When in Thailand, a similar bow is called a “wai”—but it has specific rules. If you are younger than the person you are greeting, you must wai first or to show the utmost respect, raise your hands higher up as you bow. Don’t wai wrong—everyone will wonder why you’re being rude.
Unusual greetings around the world
There are some cultures that have their very own specific greetings—you’ll feel like you’re in a big clubhouse. For example, just because you’ve been to any part of Africa before, doesn’t mean you’ll know the South African handshake. It starts like a normal handshake, then, both parties shift their hands to an upward clasping grip and then back down into a handshake, all in one fluid motion. Better practice at home with friends before attempting with locals (to avoid the awkward fumbling.)
In New Zealand, try greeting the Maori way (the people native to New Zealand) by rubbing or touching noses. Hongi is sort of like an eskimo kiss, but as standard as a handshake for the Maoris. The word translates to “sharing of breath.” Watch out for sniffling acquaintances though.
Finally, try and be as cool as President Obama when in Hawaii by pulling off the “shaka,” a traditional Hawaiian hello. You may recognize it as a surfer thing, but the shaka has been used casually in Hawaii forever. Locals translate it as “what’s up” or “hang loose.” The shaka is done like a wave, but holding your middle and ring finger down with your thumb, only extending your pointer and pinky finger. The more you wave, the better—a twisting motion really says alohaaaaaa!
A more laid back attitude is found in North America. When in French Canada—Montreal or Quebec City—remember the French les bises, although here they are more relaxed than in Europe. Referred to as “un bec,” people generally only kiss once and then get to the talk of the day. Similarly, in New York City, when with a downtown crowd or below 14th St., a single peck on the cheek is as commonplace as a wave to friends.
There you have it—a round the world survey of how to meet and greet like a local. When you return home, you’ll have a whole new perspective on that first social interaction. It can be intimate or formal, silent, loud, long or short—all depending on who you’re with and most importantly, where you are. We on the left continent don’t have anything as complicated as the Maori’s kiss or the South African handshake. But now you can be sure you know your bises from your becs and your handshakes from your shakas. Just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to cultural immersion, but you know what they say about first impressions… (Get your greetings down pat and no one will notice your bad accent.)