If you’ve ever tried to greet a Thai guide or interact with one in a French bar, you may have noticed that a solid handshake isn’t necessarily a greeting. Whether you are about to buy a bus ticket or go out for dinner, properly greetings are important to convey goodwill and kicking off the exchange, especially when you don’t speak the language. Some of these greetings are used among strangers, while others are reserved for those you know well. When in doubt, see what the locals do and wait for them to start. From touching New Zealand’s forehead to deep Japanese bows, these are ten traditional greetings from around the world.
I’ll stick out your tongue
Tibet
This tradition of greetings denounced the cruel 9th century king named Lang Dharma, who killed his brother, suppressed Buddhism and was eventually assassinated. He was known for having black tongues, so the monks began to stick out their tongues to show that they had become peace, and not the reincarnation of Lang Dharma. But sticking your tongue out today is unusual and unless someone greets you first, it will be less polite.
Bump’s nose
Qatar, Yemen, Oman, the United Arab Emirates and other Gulf countries
Khashm-makh A general greeting among men in the Gulf countries. My nose bumps, followed by a handshake (always with my right hand). Women may do that, but it tends to be private and only in other women. Don’t start this with people you don’t know.
Air kiss next to my cheek
France, Italy, Spain, Belgium, Portugal, Latin America, Ukraine, Quebec, Canada
For those who were used to shaking hands for North Americans, a kiss on the cheek can become a minefield. In France, there is a name –Kiss. The number depends on the region of France you are in. One on each cheek is generally a safe bet. Remember, you don’t actually kiss the cheek, you’re kissing the air next to it. In Argentina, Chile, Peru, Mexico, Brazil and Colombia, one air kiss is standard (hovering to the right cheek or left). Three are standard in Russia and Ukraine.
To add a little more confusion to the mix, some people start on the left cheek, others start on the right. And there are some tricky gender and relationship rules too. In all “air kissing” countries, women kiss women, and most of them are the women who kiss, but men do not kiss men. However, in southern France, southern Italy and Argentina, it is not uncommon for men to air kiss other men. It should be noted that cheek agitation in Belgian differs between Wallonia (speaking French) and Flanders (speaking Flemish), with cheek agitation being more common in the former.
handshake
Canada, the UK, Australia, Germany, Botswana, China, Zambia, Rwanda, and the Middle East, among others.
If you are from Canada or the US, this is the default greeting and is commonly used in dozens of other countries. Just swing it with your right hand, just like in the US. This is especially important in countries in the Middle East, India and Pakistan, where the left hand is considered dirty. Visitors to China will want to brighten up the grip, but those introducing to the Germans should know that they will stop after one solid downward yank.
If you are in Morocco but your hands are dirty or wet, skip the shake and touch the back of your right hand to the back of someone else’s right hand. In Botswana, local handshakes between the two involve multiple steps. Grasp your right hand, sway once, thumb up, raise your arm, raise your arm at a right angle, grab your hand again, then release it into a relaxed “swaying” position before placing the other person’s hand.
Scrub your nose (and sometimes forehead)
new zealand
More intimate than an air kiss odorpress the forehead and nose. The indigenous Maori people of New Zealand call this “breathing,” which means the sacred welcome of visitors to Māori culture. Hong Kong is used in invitation (Maori welcomes the ceremony), but honor requires an invitation and has not been extended to everyone. In short, you may see people doing Hong Kong on your next trip to New Zealand, but don’t try it unless someone else starts.
Clap your hands
Zimbabwe, Malawi, Mozambique
In more rural areas of Malawi and Zimbabwe, applause from the hands comes after people sway in a call-and-answer style. The first one applauds, and the second one applauds twice. Note that the man applauded with his fingers and palms, and the woman applauded with his hands diagonally. In northern Mozambique, people also applaud, but usually three times.
Place your hands on your heart
Malaysia
It is common to wave in Malaysia, then bring your hand into your heart and touch your chest temporarily. If the person you are meeting feels unwilling to touch, then perhaps they are religious and opposite gender – you can smile gently, nod your head, and place your hands on your chest.
bow
Cambodia, India, Nepal, Laos, Thailand, Japan
As for bowing, the question is not just when to take the bow, but how to do it. In Nepal, Cambodia, Laos and Thailand, push your palms together in prayer positions upwards above the heart level. The more you raise your hands, the more respect you are showing, but don’t go above your nose. Next, bend your head a little forward and take a slight bow from your upper body. In Thailand, this greeting is called liquidin Laos nopand in Cambodia it is Until then. In Nepal, you can hear “Namaste” during this greeting. The Sanskrit term is translated into “I succumb to you” and is considered a sign of respect and gratitude.
In Japanese culture, deeper bows show a higher level of respect than a small bow (90 degrees is the maximum), and prayer hands are do not have Used. The man bows with his hands on both sides, while the woman bows with his hands on his thighs. In the younger generation, the bow on the head (like a nod, but more prominent) is becoming a new norm.
I’ll smell my face
Greenland and Tubal (Oceania)
On an intimate scale, there is this greeting used in Greenland and Tubal Island on the South Pacific Island. In Greenland, Knikthe Inuit tradition of sniffing and sniffing the nose and upper lip against someone’s cheeks or forehead is limited to very close relationships. On Tubal Island in the South Pacific, you can also take a deep breath by pushing your cheeks together, or a common way to greet your relatives and people nearby
Greet the elders before the young people
Most common in Asian and African countries
No matter where you are in the world, you can’t go wrong by greeting the elderly first. This is especially important in countries in Asia and Africa where honouring your elders is a social rule. In addition to greeting someone older than you first, always use culture-specific titles and terms of respect at the first meeting. For example, in the Philippines After me It involves taking the elderly’s hand and gently pressing it against the forehead, thereby showing respect. In India, locals are touching the feet of seniors as a show of respect. In Liberia, like members of the people of Yoruba in Nigeria, young people bend their knees slightly, or if an older person is sitting, they drop on one or both knees to honor the elders.
How to avoid using wrong traditional greetings
The accident was inevitable and we were all there. You are not used to your destination and don’t really know how to greet someone, so what you can accept at home is the default. Following someone else’s lead is the safest. If you’re going to kiss her on the cheek, don’t suddenly reach for her.
The best thing to do is to do a little research before you leave the house. Or simply ask for something conventional. “Is there a suitable way to say hello to people I can use?” I’ll come a long way.
This article was originally published in 2018 and was recently updated on July 15th, 2025, with current information included. Sophie Friedman contributed to reporting this story.
