Greeting someone is a fundamental social courtesy and the first step toward approaching strangers.

Across the globe, greetings vary significantly—some cultures use handshakes, while others favor bowing, clasped hands, hugs, kisses, or even more unusual gestures like touching or kissing feet. Curious about where these greetings originate? Let’s explore some notable examples.

Thailand

In Thailand, where 80% of the population practices religion, a philosophy of peaceful coexistence shapes their relaxed and cheerful demeanor. Instead of handshakes, Thai people greet each other with the wai, a prayer-like gesture where palms are pressed together. For men, the hands are raised to forehead level, while for women, they align with the chest.

Japan

Japan’s culture places great emphasis on etiquette, and bowing is the most common way to greet someone. A bow’s angle can range from 30 to 45 degrees, with the deepest bow, called saikeirei, signifying the highest respect. Men bow with their hands naturally at their sides, while women place their left hand over their right in front of their bodies. When wearing hats, it’s customary to remove them before bowing.

Germany

In Germany, young people often greet one another with hugs. In larger gatherings, however, a simple nod paired with a greeting like “hallo zusammen” (hello everyone) suffices. In traditional German workplaces, formal handshakes are common, accompanied by addressing colleagues by their titles and last names, such as “Guten Tag Herr Wowereit.”

United States

In the U.S., handshakes and fist bumps are the most common greetings, while hugs and kisses are less frequent. Women often hug one another to show friendliness, and cheek kisses may occasionally be used. However, Americans typically reserve physical contact for close friends or family. For casual acquaintances, hugging or putting an arm around someone might feel awkward for both parties.

France

The French typically greet each other with bonjour or the more casual salut. Kissing on the cheeks is a traditional form of greeting among locals, especially between friends and family. In formal settings, handshakes are more common, with etiquette dictating that women offer their hand first to men, the elderly to the young, or superiors to subordinates. Men may also remove their hats as a gesture of politeness.

India

In India, greetings range from pressing palms together in the namaste gesture to raising hands in acknowledgment, hugging, or even touching and kissing feet. The height of the palms in the namaste varies: for elders, the palms align with the forehead; for peers, they stay between the chest and chin. Men often shake hands with each other but avoid physical contact with women, as public interactions between men and single women are generally discouraged.

Spain

Spaniards are warm and outgoing, often greeting each other with a handshake. Among friends and family, men exchange hugs and pats on the back, while women lightly embrace and kiss each other’s cheeks. In social contexts, men greet friends with handshakes or hugs, while women typically use the double-cheek kiss, a custom widely accepted among close acquaintances.

Across cultures, greetings reflect a society’s traditions and values, offering a glimpse into its unique way of connecting with others.