The world is filled with so many cultures and traditions, some of which are still difficult to understand. Though civilization and advancement of the world have suppressed many of these cultures, some still hold onto their ancient way of life and we cannot help but get curious. One interesting way to study a culture is through their relations with one another. In most cases, this socialization begins with a greeting and while some people just shake hands and proceed to begin a conversation, others perform some interesting gestures that may look strange to strangers. These interesting greeting gestures around the world are worth studying so travelers do not get shocked when they extend their hand for a handshake and have the other person simply reach to grab their face.
Tibet – A Show Of The Tongue
While it might be met with stern disapproval in other parts of the world, sticking out tongues is the greeting gesture used to show respect in the highest region on earth. This gesture according to Tibetan history was first used by the Tibetan People (who believed in reincarnation) to show their tongues to dissociate themselves from a 9th-century cruel emperor known as – Langdarma who had a black tongue.
New Zealand – Ah Come Let’s Bump Noses
In New Zealand, do not get shocked when someone brings their face closer. They’re not trying to kiss you or anything but are only trying to perform the Hongi greeting which is characterized by pressing the nose and forehead against each other. This - according to the Maori people is a way to share the breath of life as the god Tāne-Nui-a-Rangi shared the breath of life with the molded statue of the first woman. It also represents a way for the Maori people to create a strong bond with one another.
- Due to how it is done, the Hongi was banned because of the Covid 19 pandemic to prevent the spread of the virus.
Malaysia – It Is Coming From My Heart
In Malaysia, the greeting takes the form of a handshake but is done by the stretching of both hands, touching the other person's stretched hands and placing one hand on your chest to indicate that the greeting is coming from the heart. Due to the country’s predominantly Muslim population, when it comes to different genders, the man is advised to wait till the woman offers her stretched hands before proceeding with this greeting gesture.
Tuvalu – Get Ready To Be Sniffed
The small island of Tuvalu greets each other by sniffing one another. Well, not actually sniffing like a pet sniffs its owner, but simply pressing the cheeks together and inhaling deeply (perhaps to catch their scent). It sure looks like sniffing.
Japan – Bowing Is Ingrained In Us
The Japanese people bow down to almost everything from showing gratitude to greeting a stranger or bidding a person farewell. A Japanese person will always bow to greet – it is ingrained in them. For men, the bow greeting is done with the hands placed by the sides while the hands are placed on the pelvic. There are different levels to this gesture; the deeper the bow, the more respect it portrays. Such polite people.
Zimbabwe – Let’s Get A Round Of Applause
Greeting in Zimbabwe involves shaking hands and proceeding with a clap. The clap begins from one person who claps once (or twice in some cases) then waits for the other person to respond also with a clap once or twice. While men clap with their fingers aligned, women clap with their hands crossed and forming an angle. According to Zimbabweans, this is done to show respect to the other person.
Russia – Hold On! One More Kiss
Kissing on the cheeks is a greeting gesture popular in many European and American cultures, yet this gesture also varies across different cultures. While it is the norm to kiss once in Argentina, and many other parts of the world, some others such as Russia are not satisfied with just one kiss instead they reach for two more - one on the left cheek, one on the right cheek, and another on the left cheek. For a person who doesn’t have an idea about this, it might turn into an awkward situation with one person pulling away while the other tries to catch the other cheek.
Nigeria (Yoruba) – Absolute Submission With Face On The Ground
The traditional greeting gesture of the Yoruba tribe in Nigeria is done by prostrating for a man and kneeling for a woman. This gesture is used mainly when greeting elders because according to the Yorubas, it is a sign of respect for old age. The elders then respond with a phrase and sometimes a tap to the back.
Liberia - The Thumb And The Middle Finger
In Liberia, a typical greeting begins with a handshake and is then followed by a snap of the fingers, which creates a little unique snap sound that makes you wonder how in the world this strange gesture (which has also spread to other parts of Africa) came to life.
India - Time To Pray
In India, the word - Namaste, is uttered and then accompanied by a slight bow with the hands pressed uniformly together and close to the chest which is similar to a praying posture.