Upon meeting someone in the United States, most individuals will greet each other with a smile and a hand shake, while saying something along the lines of, “Hello. Nice to meet you!” Have you ever wondered about the difference in cultural greetings around the world? We’ve spoken to some of our students to gain a better perspective on how they greet other individuals in their country!
Italy
Verbal Greeting
Biongiorno! Salve! Ciao!
Physical Greeting
Formal: hand shake
Informal: hug and kiss on each cheek (woman and woman or man and woman); hand shake and kiss on each cheek (man and man)
Saudi Arabia
Verbal Greeting
Hala Wallah!
Physical Greeting
One kiss on left cheek and two to three kisses on right cheek (man and man or woman and woman).
*It is not common for men and women to greet each other physically in public.
Brazil
Verbal Greeting
Oi! Tudo bem? (Everything well?)
Physical Greeting
One kiss on right cheek; one kiss on right cheek and one kiss on left cheek (women and women or women and men). Hand-shake and occasional hug (men and men).
Korea and Japan
Verbal Greeting
Ahn nyung ha sae yo! (Korea) Konichiwa! (Japan)
Physical Greeting
Formal: slight bow and nod of the head
Informal: hug (woman and woman)
Mexico
Physical Greeting
Hola! Mucho Gusto! (Nice to meet you!)
Verbal Greeting
Formal: hand-shake
Informal: kiss on right cheek
Switzerland
Verbal Greeting
Guten tag!
Formal: hand-shake
Informal: three kisses, right-left-right (woman and woman); hand-shake or hug, no kisses (man and man)
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For the students and staff members of EC San Diego, understanding these social customs will create more cross-cultural sensitivity within our schools!