MEETING AND GREETING CUSTOMS

 

How do you think the people in this countries greet each other?

There are many different the greeting customs around the world. Here are some.

   Ø  Chile

People usually shake hands when they meet for the first time. When to women first meet, they sometimes give one kiss on the cheek. ( They actually “kiss the air” ) women also greet both male and female friends with a kiss. Chilean men give their friends warm abrazos ( hugs ) or sometimes kiss women on the cheek.

   Ø  Finland

Finns greet each other with a firm handshake. Hugs and kisses are only for close friends and family.

   Ø  The Philippines

The everyday greeting for friend is a handshake for both men and women. Men sometimes pat each other on the back.

   Ø  Korea

Men bow slightly and shake hands to greet each other.  Women do not usually shake hands. To address someone with his or her full name, the family name comes first, then the first name.

   Ø  The United States

People shake hands when they are first introduced. Friends and family members often hug or kiss on the cheek when they see each other. In these situations, men often kiss women but not other men.

Unique Customs

   

   Ø  January 17 is St. Anthony’s Day in Mexico. It’s a day when a people ask for protection for their animals. They bring their animals to church. But before the animals go into the church,  the people usually dress them up in flowers and ribbons.

   Ø  On August 15 of the lunar calendar, Korean celebrate Chusok to give thanks for the new harvest. It’s a day when people honor their ancestors by going to their graves to take them food and wine and clean the gravesites. Also on Chusok, a big meal with moon-shaped rice cakes is eaten.

   Ø  One of the biggest celebration in Argentina is New Year’s Eve. On the evening of December 31, families get together and have a big meal. At midnight, fireworks explode everywhere and continue throughout the night. Friends and families meet for parties, which last until the next morning.

   Ø  Long ago in India, a princess who needed help sent her silk bracelet to an emperor. After he helped the princess, the emperor kept the bracelet as a sign of the loyalty between them.  Today in India, during the festival of Rakhi, men promise to be loyal to their women in exchange for a bracelet of silk, cotton, or gold thread.

   Ø  On the evening of February 3, people in Japanese families take one dried been for each year of their age and throw the beans around their homes and shrines, shouting “ Good luck in! Evil spirits out! “ this is known as “ Setsubun “ a time to celebrate the end of winter and the beginning of spring.