Greetings

Hello!!! Each day we meet many persons. We greet each other either by spoken greeting or some kind of gesture. There are many differences between cultures and within social system.
Let's start with general greetings. In English those greetings are „hi“, „hello“ or „hey“. Informal greetings are "How do you do?", "What's up?" etc. There are also greetings depending on the time of day…"good morning", "good afternoon", "good evening".
In my Croatia most popular greeting is “bok". It sounds that way but actually it is “Bog” or
God (be with you).
The most common greetings in other langauges and cultures are Marhaba (Arabic), Salut (French), Hola (Spanish), Shalom (Hebrew), Namaste (Hindu), Ni Hao (Mandarin), Oi or Ola (Portugese), Ciao or Salve (Italian) etc.
In a handshake two people grasp their right or not so often left hands. Everything is done with short shake of grasped hands. In some cultures people shake both hands. Some secret societies or organizations often have special kinds of handshake. In recent years some variations of handshake have been created. Good example is “Gimme Five” with an exchange of facing palm slaps.
Cheek kissing is in some situation part of greetings. It is more common in Europe (especially in its southern regions) and Latin America than in North America (exception is Quebec). Depending on culture cheek kissing is acceptable between a man and a woman, a parent and a child, two women…Cheek kissing between two men usually bring association with homosexuality. But it is present in Russia and the Middle East.
Hand kissing is kind of greeting but also a way to show respect. This way of greeting became quite rare and it mainly appears in conservative upper class, diplomatic world or in some religions…Good example for it is kissing the ring of the Pope or cardinals…
Rather special way of greeting is present in New Zealand. It is called Hongi. It is preformed by pressing one's nose to another person at an encounter. Hongi is present among Maori people and among all New Zealanders at public celebrations.
Bowing is the act of lowering the head, or sometimes the entire upper body from the waist, as a social gesture. It is especially present in Asian countries like for example Japan. In Europe it is only preformed by a male in front of a woman.
Bows, called “o-jigi”, “o-rei” or “rei”, are the traditional greeting and way of showing respect in Japan. There are all sort of bows. Different bows are used for apologies and gratitude, to express different emotions, humility, sincerity, remorse, or deference, and in various traditional arts and religious ceremonies. Bows can be generally divided into three main types: informal, formal, and very formal. Informal bows are made at about a fifteen degree angle and more formal bows at about thirty degrees. Very formal bows are deeper. Oh yes, I almost forgot to mention that bows are present in martial arts like Kung Fu, Kendo, Taekwondo and Karate.
Namaste or Namaskar is a greeting of South Asia. A literal translation of namah te is "reverential salutation to your inner." It is commonly accompanied by a slight bow made with the hands pressed together, palms touching, in front of the chest. The bow is a symbolic bow of love and respect.
Let me finish this post with yet another way of greeting…wawing…So, bye, bye dear reader, wherever you are. See you soon…Have a great weekend.