Business
dshakes
dwide
Pakistan – Handshakes are common,
but close friends embrace. A man
should not touch or shake hands
with a woman in public. Be sure not
to give or receive anything with
your left hand.
Panama – Friends nod and embrace,
with shaking hands appropriate among
business associates.
Paraguay – People stand very close,
men frequently embrace and women
kiss each other on both cheeks.
Peru – Shake hands when meeting and
leaving. Men will frequently give close
friends a hug and women friends often
will kiss on the cheek.
Portugal – Men tend to hug and slap
each other’s back enthusiastically. For
women who are close acquaintances,
a kiss on both checks is common.
Puerto Rico – Shake hands, but close
friends frequently embrace. Women
tend to grasp each other’s shoulders
and kiss each other on the cheek.
Puerto Ricans stand quite close
while talking.
Sri Lanka – A light handshake and do
not to give or receive anything with
your left hand.
South Africa – Handshaking, talking
and backslapping all go together.
South Korea – Men bow slightly to
each other while shaking hands, using
both hands or the right hand. Women
nod, and in general, do not shake
hands, and especially not with men.
Spain – Men who are friends will
frequently hug, while women will
give a slight embrace and kiss on
each cheek.
Tahiti – Most shake hands on meeting.
Tahitians normally kiss on the cheeks
during greeting.
Thailand – The Thai tradition
is the “wai,” made when you
place both hands together
in a prayer position at the
chest. However, if you are
in a Westernized social
setting, handshaking
may take place. Wait
for the person in
charge to initiate
the process.
Venezuela – Men
greet with a hug and
women with an embrace
and kiss on the cheek.
Shaking hands is
also common.
Names
Bangladesh – With men, shake
hands (not as firm as U.S.), when
introduced to a woman, nod and speak
a greeting. Be sure not to give or
receive anything with your left hand.
Finland – Better to use names for
greetings. Avoid invading space.
Iceland – Greet with first names.
Israel – “Shalom” is the accepted
greeting.
In advance, I apologize if I have
left out a particular country or not
covered a custom as accurately as
it could be explained. For the sake
of space, I minimized descriptions.
The main purpose of this article is
to broaden your awareness of
different customs of different
cultures. Some cultures are
uncomfortable if you are too close
and others like to get up close. The
better we can understand each other,
the better we can communicate.
I certainly would look forward to any
comments you might have on aspects
I may have overlooked or situations
you’ve encountered. Just send your
letter to [email protected]
Subject Line: Letter to Editor.