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How to greet people when travelling abroad

If you’re not a seasoned traveller, it might be a bit difficult to know how to greet people of different nationalities. Do you shake their hand? Wave awkwardly? Bow? Kiss on the cheek or just run away?

Well, preferably not the latter. You want to go back home with at least one or two stories to tell. And while we can’t guarantee that you won’t embarrass yourself on your trip (you’re a stranger in a foreign country, it’s bound to happen) we can try and help you make your greetings as smooth as possible.

Italy
According to Italy Logue, it's okay to greet strangers with a handshake, but once you've become more like acquaintances (and maybe shared a glass of wine or two with them) you can greet them a bit more intimately, doing the double cheek kiss. Apparently, you should lean right first, unless you're purposefully pretending to be confused, wanting a hot Italian to give you a big fat one right on the lips.

Spain
Greeting is much the same in Spain, according to eDiplomat, except the people might be a bit more willing to embrace each other.

France
Now, you'll probably be aware that the French greet each other by doing the cheek kiss (right cheek first, just like in Italy). Yet, did you know that the amount of kisses differs from region to region? It's called a bise; and all that kissing, while rather pleasant, can dry a girl's lips out. So, a Frenchman named Gilles Debunne created a map after taking a poll of nearly 18 000 people, asking them which part of France they were from and how many times they kissed their friends/family.

Germany
Raise your hand if you have any preconceived notions that German folks aren't as, uh, free-spirited shall we say as the rest of the continent. Yeah, thought so. Well, you may be right, since kissing each other on the cheek is actually not as common (there was actually a German etiquette group who tried to ban it from the workplace) - and if you do get one, it will only be one on the left cheek.

The UK
Speaking of preconceived notions, most think that Britain is split into two very distinctive areas: being the very posh side and the lovely people who end up on Geordie Shore. Well, there are some in between, but unless the person you're speaking to makes it evident that they're very comfortable with you, in which case a peck on the cheek is probably okay, stick to a simple handshake unless you want to get one of these...

how very dare you

The Netherlands
According to this site, the Dutch are a bit more reserved, and while they won't frown upon you shouting across the road like a lunatic to get a friend's attention, they do like it quiet. Oh, and instead of two kisses, it's three. These are always done right-left-right. Women are expected to greet men and other women in this manner, but men stick to firm handshakes with strong eye contact.

Greece
Here, greetings are different between the sexes. Women who know each other well will do the double cheek kiss, or a light handshake when meeting a stranger. When men greet other men they don’t know, they do so with a relatively firm handshake, while maintaining eye contact. For family and close friends, men will sometimes give kisses on the cheek, hugs, claps on the back, and pats on the shoulders. When men and women who are strangers greet each other, they share a light handshake and this is sometimes combined with touching the arm or elbow. Friends and family usually share a kiss on each cheek.

The rest of Europe
While greeting in the rest of the continent usually consists of a handshake between strangers, or a double cheek kiss, there are some countries where things are quite specific. This blog breaks down the greeting etiquette from Amsterdam to Prague - it's pretty damn specific.

Brazil, Argentina and other Latin American countries
South Americans are rather free spirited and touchy so don't be surprised when that girl you met in the club bathroom gives you not one, not two, but three kisses on the cheek Women usually kiss once on each cheek, but single women add a third. It's sometimes okay to hug, but don't go in for a full embrace. That's just awkward. It’s much the same in many other Latin American countries, but here’s a full list breaking it down for you.

Mexico
Men usually shake hands while women pat each other on the right forearm or shoulder instead of shaking hands. Men always wait for women to initiate a handshake, and if people know each other well they hug and/or kiss. Men exchange some kind of bear hugs known as 'abrazo'. At parties, it’s your host's duty to introduce you to new people, but you are expected to greet every single person with a very slight bow when you arrive, and a handshake when you leave.

Thailand
Press your palms together in prayer pose, and bow your forehead to touch your fingertips, it's called a wai. The higher the hands are held in relation to the face and the lower the bow, the more respect or reverence the giver of the wai is showing. Foreigners are not expected to initiate the gesture, but it’s an insult not to return it.

China
Chinese culture is well known for its tradition and etiquette, but many Chinese people are quite aware of Western ways.  They will offer you a handshake instead of the more traditional greeting of putting your right fist against your left hand and bowing. Although this is sometimes still done on very formal or traditional occasions. But, when greeting a high-standing person, or someone older than you, lowering your head is considered respectful.

Japan
Bowing is still very big in Japan. Sometimes people even bow while on the phone. Men and women bow differently, however, so keep this in mind. Women bow with their hands on the front of their thighs with their fingers touching, while men usually keep their hands on their sides. There are different degrees of bowing (broken down for you here), but remember it’s very rude not to return a bow.

India
Handshakes are fine and dandy, but if you really want to go that extra mile when making new friends, or just trying to find your way around, place your palms together in the prayer position and tilt your head forward (don't do a full bow) and say 'Namaste' , and if you know their title, use it. Unless they ask you to use their first name.

Sri Lanka
While the younger generation goes in for the handshake, some of the older generation might still greet you with ‘Namaste’, according to this site. Sinhalese may say "ayubowan" (may you be blessed with a long life) and Tamils would say "vanakkam" (may you be blessed with a long life). You might also hear "kuhomadu" (how do you do?) in more informal settings. Many of the Sri Lankan women prefer not to make physical contact, so always wait for her to initiate a handshake, or other physical gesture.

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Have you travelled anywhere exciting lately? How did you greet the locals? Tell us about it in the box below.

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