The same idea in 18 places, grouped by region. Each entry is a short portrait; follow the link for the full tradition.
Namaste, with palms pressed together and a slight bow, is the common Hindu greeting, and young people touch the feet of elders to receive a blessing. Handshakes are used in business, though many people wait for the other to offer.
Read: NamasteMen greet with a handshake, a hand to the heart and a long enquiry about health and family. Women often use a hand on the chest, and a guest is offered tea.
Read: As-salamu alaykumThe wai, a bow with palms together, is given higher according to the status of the person greeted. A younger person wais first, and monks are given the highest wai.
Wai, being writtenThe bow, ojigi, ranges from a nod to a deep bow, and the depth shows respect. Business cards are exchanged with both hands and a small bow.
Read: Bowing in JapanA bow is used with a handshake, supported by the left hand on the right forearm as a sign of respect. Elders are greeted first, and age decides the form of address.
Korean honorifics, being writtenUzbeks greet with a handshake, a hand on the heart and a long enquiry after health and family. Elders are greeted first, and a guest is at once offered tea and bread.
Culture of Uzbekistan, being writtenSalaam alaikum, peace be upon you, is answered with wa alaikum salaam. Friends may kiss on the cheek or touch noses in the Gulf, and the hand over the heart follows a handshake.
Read: As-salamu alaykumShalom serves for hello, goodbye and peace, and many greet with a handshake or a hug. Shabbat shalom is said on Friday evening and Saturday.
Shalom, being writtenA greeting begins with a handshake and a kiss on the cheek, repeated several times with a stream of questions about health. Hand to the heart after the handshake is a sign of warmth.
Culture of Morocco, being writtenGreeting every person in the room, starting with the eldest and moving right to left, is expected, and the right hand is used. A greeting may last several minutes, with a series of blessings.
Culture of Ghana, being writtenJambo and habari are the common greetings, and a long handshake, sometimes with a touch on the arm, is normal. Among the Maasai, a spit of blessing and the touching of the head have been practised.
Swahili, being writtenLa bise, one to four kisses on the cheeks depending on the region, is exchanged between friends, and a handshake is used in formal settings. One always says bonjour on entering a shop.
Read: Cheek kissingThree kisses on alternating cheeks are traditional between friends and family, and the handshake is firm, with direct eye contact. Birthdays involve congratulating everyone in the room.
Read: Cheek kissingThe offering of bread and salt, khleb-sol, welcomes honoured guests, and men shake hands warmly. A handshake across a doorway is considered unlucky.
Read: Bread and saltA firm handshake with eye contact and a smile is the standard, with a hug among friends. Many people ask "how are you?" as a greeting rather than an enquiry.
Read: HandshakeFriends greet with a kiss on one cheek, and handshakes are used in business and with new acquaintances. A warm abrazo, an embrace, is common between men who know each other.
Abrazo, being writtenThe hongi, in which two people press noses and foreheads together, shares the breath of life in a Maori greeting. It is part of the formal welcome, the powhiri.
Hongi, being writtenVisitors are greeted with a talofa and sometimes a drink of kava in the ava ceremony, in which chiefs speak in a set order and the cup goes first to the guest of honour. The ava ceremony is accompanied by a set speech, and the cup bearer calls out the title of each chief in order of rank.
Read: TalofaWritten by the EveryParampara desk with AI assistance. Customs differ from place to place and family to family. If this is your tradition and we have it wrong, tell us.
Every week: one tradition from somewhere new, what is being celebrated around the world this week, and one idea explained.