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In most countries of the world, the handshake is a universal form of greeting, expressing an emotional connection between people by physically shaking hands. But in many places, greetings are accompanied by more complex rituals.
For example, in Europe people like to kiss each other when greeting each other, and many countries have rules about how often to kiss and which cheek to start with. Even a handshake is not like that a simple ritual in some countries.
And, despite the fact that most people will correctly understand a handshake, knowledge national customs will always ensure you the favor of the locals.
Handshakes
The ancient Greeks shook hands just as we do now, and this was a gesture of friendliness, hospitality and trust. IN medieval Europe, kings and knights extended their hands to each other to show that they had no weapons and were not doing any harm to the other person. This gesture also meant equality, in contrast to bowing and kissing hands, which signified differences and dominance of one person over another. When shaking hands, both participants should be at the same level to show the same level of respect. It also reduces the physical barrier that usually separates and protects us. The other participant does the same, forming a connection mutual security.
Shaking hands can also be a way of appreciating someone you meet for the first time. Anyone who has ever gone to an interview or business meeting knows the value a firm handshake that means you are confident and in control, in contrast to a limp handshake, which expresses uncertainty and indecision.
Different types handshakes
The handshake is accepted all over the world, especially in Europe and North America. It is universal and at the same time individual, since in different places people impose distinctive characteristics on it.
For example, in the Philippines people shake hands lightly. In Malaysia, the greeting gesture involves shaking the other person's hand, pulling the hand towards your chest and asking, "Where are you going?"
Residents of Benin grab their fingers when shaking hands, lightly touching their palms and fingers, asking: “How did you wake up?”
In Grenada the handshake is bigger resembles punching, and in South Africa The ritual of clasping little fingers, shaking fists, and clasping little fingers again has become common on many streets in the United States.
In Singapore, daters also return their palms to their chests, leaving them over the heart to show placement.
Kisses
In some countries, a handshake is not enough to show your affection for the interlocutor, and from you expect a mutual kiss, a universal sign of deep affection.
Kissing rituals are prevalent in Europe and can be quite complex. Parisians kiss four times on both cheeks, always starting with the left cheek. If you are in Brittany, then they kiss three times, on the Cote d'Azur five or six times, and in other areas of France two times is enough. Two kisses when greeting are also the rule in Spain, Austria and Scandinavia, but In Spain you must always kiss on the right cheek.
In the Netherlands, you kiss three times, starting and ending on the same cheek, and several more times if you are kissing older people and close family members. Age also plays a role in Belgium, where people kiss once with people the same age, and three times with people who are ten years or more older.
A in Oman, men kiss each other on the nose when greeting.
Bows
Of course, shaking hands and kissing are not the only ways to greet each other. In many Asian countries there are different variants bow as a greeting.
In Arab and Muslim countries, when greeting, people fold their hands as if in prayer and bow to show their appreciation to another. In many countries, it is also common to hug close friends and family members.
Of course, it is quite difficult to remember all the ways in which people around the world show their hospitality and respect.
If in doubt, remember that a confident but gentle handshake, usually with the right hand, a smile and an openness will be accepted in most countries.
You can also just wait and repeat what your interlocutor does. And don’t be surprised if suddenly someone starts kissing your nose or smelling your cheeks.
Travelers to New Zealand will certainly be able to see the traditional greeting of the Maori people - the hongi. This way of greeting has a centuries-old history and involves touching noses when meeting. Rubbing noses together is a symbolic act of invoking the “ha,” or “breath of life,” which goes directly back to the gods. Those who have undergone this ritual are no longer considered a “manuhiri” (“visitor”), but become a “tangata whenua” - “man of the earth.”
Tibet
In most parts of the world, sticking out your tongue would be considered indecent, but not in Tibet. This is the traditional way of greeting here. The tradition dates back to the 9th century, to the reign of the Tibetan persecutor king Landarma, who had a black tongue. The Tibetans were afraid that Landarma would be reincarnated, so in order to prove that they were not evil, they began to greet each other by sticking out their tongues. This tradition continues until today. It is often complemented by crossing the palms over the chest.
Tuvalu
Travelers heading to the Polynesian island nation of Tuvalu should be prepared to be close to local people greeting them. The traditional greeting in Tuvalu involves one person pressing their face to the other's cheek and taking a deep breath.
Mongolia
When inviting an unknown person into the house, the Mongol presents him with a strip of silk or cotton, which is called hada. It is usually white in color, but can also be light blue or light yellow. If you are honored to receive hada, then you need to accept it with both hands with a slight bow. Handing over the hada and bowing is a sign of deep mutual respect, highly valued in Mongolian culture.
Japan
Greeting is very important in Japanese culture, and bowing is an integral part of it. It can range from a slight nod of the head to a deep bow from the waist. If the greeting ritual takes place on tatami, a traditional Japanese flooring, then you must first kneel and then bow. The longer and lower the bow, the more respect you show. Small nods of the head as a casual, informal greeting are more common among young people.
Kenya
Travelers in Kenya will undoubtedly meet representatives of one of the most famous Maasai tribes in the country. Those who are lucky enough to observe the unique traditions and rituals of the tribe will certainly remember the energetic welcome dance. It is called "adamu" ("jumping dance") and is performed by the warriors of the tribe. It begins with a story or story, after which the dancers form a circle and begin to compete with each other in the height of their jumps, which is intended to show the guests of the tribe the strength and courage of its members.
Greenland
In many Arctic regions, including Greenland, the traditional greeting of the Eskimos, or Inuit, is called kunik. It is used mainly between family members and lovers. During this greeting, one of the people meeting presses his nose and upper lip to the skin of the other person and breathes. They also have some Western peoples adopted the tradition of the “Eskimo kiss” - rubbing noses together.
China
Traditional chinese greeting called "koutou" and represents folding hands and bowing. For women, this ritual is called “wanfu”: representatives of the fairer sex must join their hands and move them down along their body. The koutou tradition dates back to the time of the legendary Emperor Huang Di (Yellow Emperor). This greeting was originally used when meeting the emperor or during other ceremonies, such as marriages.
Thailand
A sophisticated Thai greeting tradition is called wai. The greeter should put his palms together as if he were praying, place them on his head, bow and say “sawaddy”. Travelers to Thailand may notice that hand positions vary: the higher the hands are in relation to the face, the more respect is shown to the person being greeted. Initially, the tradition was used to indicate the absence of weapons, which was perceived as highest manifestation respect. "Wai" is still widely used throughout Thailand.
Philippines
Visitors to the Philippines will be able to see another unusual tradition greet. When a younger person greets an older person, he should bend slightly, take the older person's right hand with his right hand, and then touch his interlocutor's forehead with his knuckles. In this case, the younger person must pronounce “mano po” (“mano” - “hand”, “po” - “respect”).
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How to say hello in different countries
Different countries greet each other differently. Traditions of greeting each other vary from a simple handshake to rubbing noses and sniffing cheeks. Moreover, the greeting has its own meaning!
Russia. When people meet, they wish each other health and exchange a friendly handshake.
IN USA to the question: “How are you doing?” the answer is: “Everything is great!”, even if it’s far from the case. To say “bad” is the height of indecency!
Some Indian When people meet, they take off their shoes.
IN Tunisia When greeting on the street, it is customary to first bow, raise your right hand to your forehead, then to your lips, then to your heart. “I think about you, I talk about you, I respect you” - this is the meaning of this greeting.
Mongolia. When people meet, they say to each other, “Are your cattle healthy?”
Israel:"Peace to you!"
Residents of the country Tonga, located on the islands of the Pacific Ocean, when meeting with acquaintances, they stop at a distance, shake their heads, stamp their feet and snap their fingers.
IN Japan It is not customary to shake hands. When meeting, the Japanese bow with one of three types of bows - the lowest, medium with an angle of 30 degrees, or light.
Eskimos When greeting a friend, they lightly hit him on the head and shoulders with their fist.
Zulus (people in South Africa). When meeting, they exclaim “I see you!”
Residents New Guinea from the Koi-ri tribe, when greeting each other, they tickle each other under the chin.
Representatives African people Akamba living in the south Kenya, as a sign of deep respect... they spit on the person they meet.
Residents of the Republic Zambia V Central Africa When greeting, they clap their hands and curtsy.
Tibet. When meeting, people remove their headdress with their right hand, and left hand put it behind the ear and stick out the tongue.
India. As a sign of greeting, people put their hands together and respectfully press them to their chest. Also in India in the morning they may ask: “Did mosquitoes bother you too much last night?”
China. When meeting, people bow with their arms extended along their bodies.
IN Italy When they meet each other they say “Ciao!”
Greetings from the Islanders Easter: stand straight, clench your hands into fists, extend them in front of you, raise them above your head, unclench your fists and let your hands fall calmly.
U Greenlanders There is no formal greeting, but when meeting, they always say: “Good weather,” even if it is minus 40 degrees outside and the damp wind is blowing.
IN Botswana(a small country in southern Africa, most of whose territory is occupied by the Kalahari Desert), the traditional national “Pula” is translated as a wish: “Let it rain!”
And in ancient times the tribe Tuareg, who lives in deserts, had a very complex and long greeting. It started when two more people were about a hundred meters apart and could last as long as half an hour! The Tuaregs bowed, jumped, made faces...
It is believed that handshakes appeared back in primitive times. Then, stretching out their hands to each other, people showed that they had no weapons, that they came in peace.
According to another version, the handshake originated during knightly tournaments. When the duel between two knights dragged on and it was clear that they were equal in strength, the opponents approached each other in order to discuss the peaceful outcome of the duel. Having gathered, the knights extended their hands for a handshake and held them like that until the end of the negotiations, thereby protecting themselves from possible treachery and deception on the part of the enemy. That is why the handshake is still common mainly among men.
Sociologist Spencer believes that shaking hands is a residual phenomenon of an ancient custom. In ancient times, warriors did not leave defeated enemies alive. But later to man The idea came to mind that the enemy could be kept as a free servant, a slave. And recognizing himself as defeated and subjugated, as a sign of gratitude for the fact that he had been given life, the newly made slave first fell on his face, as if showing that he was killed, defeated, then slowly rose, kneeling, and extended both palms to his master, showing that he gives himself to him.
Perhaps that's why in Latin and the words “hand” - “manus” and “to submit” - “manus dare”, and later “mansuetus” - “tamed”, “slave” are cognates.
Thus, if we paraphrase a well-known phrase about a friend, we can say: tell me how you say hello and I'll tell you who you are.
In psychology there is a theory by Stanley Milgram - “ theory of six handshakes“. Its essence is that any 2 inhabitants of the planet are separated on average by only 5 levels of mutual acquaintances - that is, 6 handshakes. This hypothesis has been tested many times different ways, including computer modeling and Microsoft, but always found confirmation. She works! Surely, while walking around the Internet, you were often surprised to learn that an acquaintance of your acquaintance has been known to you for a long time!…
Workshop on tolerance
Tolerance training for teenagers Lesson 1 TOLERANCE: WHAT IS IT? (PART 1) Goals:
- introduce teenagers to the concept of “tolerance”;
- stimulate the imagination of participants in search of their own
- understanding tolerance in three ways: (1) based on the development of a “scientific definition”, (2) through an expressive form, (3) using an associative series.
Introductory part Target: - introduction to the problem Time required: 25 minutes.
Procedure: Group rules are accepted. Then the facilitator tells the group participants what “tolerance” and “intolerance” (or intolerance) are, about their manifestations and the consequences of intolerance. The lecture can be prepared by the presenter independently or based on the introduction to this manual. In conclusion, the facilitator presents the training goals written to the board and talks about them.
Acquaintance Time required: 15 minutes.
The facilitator invites the participants to introduce themselves as they would like to be called in the group (for example, use pseudonyms).
Procedure(possible options). Exercise "Snowball". Group members sit in a circle.
The presenter introduces himself first. Then the black man sitting to the left says the name of the leader and his name. Each next participant names in turn the names of everyone who introduced themselves before him. Thus, the participant who closes the circle will have to name the names of all members of the group.
Exercise “Neighbor on the right, neighbor on the left”
The participant holding the ball calls the names of the neighbors to his right and left, and then introduces himself. After that, he throws the ball to any of the group members. The person who received the ball must again name the names of his neighbors to the right and left and introduce himself, and so on.
Warm-up Goals:
- creating a relaxed, friendly atmosphere in the group;
- increasing intra-group trust and cohesion among group members.
Time required: 10 minutes. Exercise “How we are alike” Procedure: Group members sit in a circle. The host invites one of the participants into the circle based on any real or imagined similarity with himself. For example: “Sveta, please come out to me, because you and I have the same hair color (or we are similar in that we are inhabitants of the Earth, or we are the same height, etc.).” Sveta comes out into the circle and invites one of the participants to come out in the same way. The game continues until all members of the group are in a circle. Exercise “Compliments”
Procedure: The presenter invites the participants to come up with compliments for each other. He throws the ball to one of the participants and gives him a compliment. For example: “Dima, you are a very fair person” or “Katya, you have a wonderful hairstyle.” The person who receives the ball throws it to the person to whom he wants to give his compliment, and so on. It is important to ensure that the compliment is given to each participant.
Main content of the lesson Exercise “What is “tolerance”” Goals:
- enable participants to formulate a “scientific concept” of tolerance;
- show the multidimensionality of the concept of “tolerance”.
Time required: 20 minutes. Materials: definitions of tolerance written in large sheets Whatman paper (see Appendix 1.2).
Preparation: Write definitions of tolerance on large sheets of paper and attach them to the board or to the walls before the start of class, with the reverse side facing the audience.
Procedure: The facilitator divides the participants into groups of 3-4 people. Each group will have to brainstorm its own definition of tolerance. Ask participants to include in this definition what they believe is the essence of tolerance. The definition should be short and succinct. After the discussion, a representative from each group introduces the developed definition to all participants.
After the end of the group discussion, each definition is written on the board or on large sheet Whatman paper
After the groups present their formulations, the presenter turns the pre-prepared definitions “facing” the audience. Participants have the opportunity to familiarize themselves with existing definitions and express your attitude towards them.
Discussion: The facilitator asks the following questions:
- What makes each definition different?
- Is there anything that unites any of the proposed definitions?
- Which definition is most appropriate?
- Is it possible to give one definition to the concept of “tolerance”?
As you discuss, pay attention to the following points:
- The concept of “tolerance” has many sides.
- Each of the definitions revealed some facet of tolerance.
Lesson reflection
- Some of you were introduced to the concept of “tolerance” for the first time. Which definition of tolerance resonated with you the most?
- Do you think the topic of tolerance is relevant, and if so, why?
Lesson 2 Tolerance: what is it? Warm-up Exercise “General Rhythm” Goals:- increasing group cohesion. Time required: 5 minutes.
Procedure. Participants stand in a circle. The leader claps his hands several times at a certain speed, setting a rhythm that the group must maintain as follows: the participant standing to the right of the leader makes one clap, followed by the next, etc. It should feel as if one person is clapping at a given rhythm, and not all members of the group in turn. This exercise rarely succeeds the first time. After several trial laps, participants who disrupt the general rhythm gradually drop out of the game.
Main content of the lesson Exercise: “Emblem of Tolerance” Goals:- continuation of work with definitions of tolerance; - development of imagination, expressive ways of self-expression. Time required: 20 minutes. Materials: paper, colored pencils or markers, scissors, tape.
Procedure. At the previous stage, participants developed their own definitions of tolerance and became familiar with existing ones. The presenter notes that the discussion took place on an intellectual, abstract level.
The next exercise will allow you to approach this from a different angle - participants will have to create an emblem of tolerance. Everyone will try to independently draw an emblem that could be printed on dust jackets and national flags. The drawing process takes 5-7 minutes. After completing the work, the participants look at each other’s drawings (to do this, you can walk around the room). After viewing the work of others, participants should break into subgroups based on the similarities between the drawings. It is important that each participant independently decides to join a particular group. Each of the formed subgroups must explain what is common in their drawings and put forward a slogan that would reflect the essence of their emblems (discussion - 3-5 minutes).
The final stage of the exercise— presentation of the emblems of each subgroup. Exercise “Pantomime of Tolerance” Target: the same as in the previous exercise. Time required: 15 minutes.
Materials: several definitions of tolerance written on separate sheets of paper; everything that can be useful for pantomime - a coil of rope, tape, drawing supplies.
Procedure. All participants are divided into 3-4 (3-5 people each). Each subgroup receives from definitions of tolerance posted on the board. The task is to pantomimically depict this definition in such a way that the other participants can guess which definition we are talking about. To prepare a pantomime—5 minutes.
Discussion. The facilitator asks the following questions:
- Which pantomime was the most “unambiguous” and did not cause any difficulties in guessing?
- What difficulties did the groups encounter in creating the pantomime?
Exercise "Lukoshko". working with the concept of “tolerance” using an associative series; development of imagination, creative thinking. Time required: 10 minutes. Materials: a basket or bag with small items (for example, Kinder Surprise toys, badges, etc.). The number of items must exceed the number of group members.
Procedure. The leader walks in a circle with a basket containing various small objects. Participants, without looking into the basket, take one item. When everyone is ready, the presenter invites everyone to find some connection between this subject and the concept of tolerance. The story begins with the participant who first received the toy. For example: “I got a ball. It reminds me of the globe. I think tolerance should be spread throughout the world.” Give an idea of the characteristics of a tolerant and intolerant personality and the main differences between them. Lesson reflection
- What new things have you learned about the concept of “tolerance” compared to the previous lesson?
- What are the sides and aspects of tolerance in to the greatest extent characterize this concept?
At the height of the Cold War, Americans Brian and Michael McCorman from Nebraska, as a sign of protest against increasing international tensions, sent letters with warm greetings to all corners of the world and asked the recipient to simply say hello to someone else.
Each nation has its own customs of greeting each other, but international etiquette is essentially the same: goodness and prosperity, Have a good day or success in work.
Englishman greets an acquaintance with the question “How do you do?” — (literally “How are you acting?”), Frenchman will ask: "Comment ca va?" ("How is it going?"), German - "Wie geht"s?" ("How is it going?").
Italians The progress of the acquaintance’s affairs is not at all interested in him; when they meet, he will exclaim: “Come sta?” - “How are you standing?” Chinese will ask: “Have you eaten today?” Zulus state: “I saw you!”, Greenlanders they will simply say: “Nice weather!”, and Navajo Indians They will exclaim optimistically: “Everything is fine!” Persians They will advise: “Be cheerful!” Arabs they will say: “Peace be with you!”, and Jews- "Peace to you".
The most common greetings Mongols: "How are your cattle?" and “How are you traveling?” IN Malaysia They ask: “Where are you going?” (to which they vaguely answer: “To take a walk”). The famous "Salaam!" means "Peace be with you!" (like "Shalom"). IN Iran they say: “Be cheerful!”, Georgians greet with the word “Gamarjoba!” - “Be right!”, or “Win!”. Japanese they will say: “Konnitiva” - “here is the day”, “the day has come”, Highlanders of the Pamirs and Hindu Kush greet each other with the wishes “Be vigilant!”, “Don’t know fatigue!”, Vainakhs- the wish “Be free!”
IN African tribes groups Basotho the best greeting, when addressed to leaders, sounds like “Greetings, wild beast!” Maori they will say something like “Thank you for this morning (day)!” Hindu greets God in the person of the person he meets - “Namaste!”, and North American Indians sometimes they greet with the words “You are my other “I”.
IN Ancient Egypt During a short meeting, it was not customary to be interested in the state of health; they asked another question: “How do you sweat?” Romans greeted each other with the wish of health “Salve!”, and ancient Greeks They said to each other “Rejoice!”
Russians, Europeans, and Americans shake hands as a greeting gesture. A young American greets his friend by clapping him on the back. In France, in an informal setting, even unfamiliar people kiss when meeting and saying goodbye, touching each other’s cheeks one by one and sending one to five kisses into the air.
Emotional Latinos hugging, freezing Laplanders rub their noses against each other, Polynesia rub their noses and stroke each other on the back, men Eskimos lightly punch each other on the head and shoulders.
Friendly Japanese bow as Chinese. However, in modern China, acquaintances greet each other with the favorite gesture of actors and politicians - clasped hands raised above their heads. And our greeting gesture - the palm facing the interlocutor, swaying left and right - will be interpreted by the Japanese as a farewell gesture. The Japanese greet each other by waving their open palm facing the interlocutor away from themselves (back and forth).
Samoans sniffing each other Tibetans remove the headdress with the right hand, and put the left hand behind the ear and stick out the tongue. In North Africa, it is customary, after bowing, to raise the right hand to the forehead, to the lips and to the chest - this should mean “I think about you, I talk about you, I respect you.” Some peoples of Africa, as a sign of greeting and deep respect, pass a pumpkin, holding it in right hand. In the tribe Akamba in Kenya they spit on people they meet as a sign of deep respect, and in the tribe Maasai when meeting, they first spit, then spit on their own hand, and only then shake hands. On Zambezi clap their hands and curtsy.
IN India as a sign of greeting, hands are folded together and respectfully pressed to the chest, and Arabs cross them on the chest. Some Indian tribes in America, it was customary, just in case, to squat until the stranger they met approached and noticed this peaceful pose. Sometimes they took off their shoes.
IN Egypt and Yemen the greeting gesture resembles a salute - the palm is placed on the forehead. IN Latin America men, when greeting, perform the following ritual: they hug and first knock three times with their hand on the back of a friend, holding their head above his right shoulder, and knock on the back three more times, holding their head above his left shoulder.
Tajiks shake an outstretched hand with both hands - to extend only one in response is disrespectful (the rule is not universal, but it is mandatory, for example, for a host greeting a guest).
IN Russia Since ancient times, when meeting people they asked about health; this tradition has been preserved to this day. Analogues of the neutral “Hello” are the friendly “Hello” or “Great!”, the official “Allow me to greet you!”. Older people sometimes say: “My respects” and “Good health to you.” Greeting to a worker - “God help you!”, to someone who comes - “Welcome!”, to someone who has washed in the bathhouse - “With light steam!" and so on. There are forms of greeting: " Good morning", "Good afternoon", " Good evening", "Good night"…
The material was prepared based on information from RIA Novosti and open sources
This language group includes almost everything European languages and some languages of the Middle East.
1. In addition to France, Belgium and Switzerland, the French "bonjour" will be understood in countries such as Morocco, Tunisia and Algeria, as well as in some African countries: Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Guinea, Gabon and Mauritania.
2. Spanish "ola": in addition to Spain itself, the language or Castilian, as it is sometimes called, is spoken in the countries of Central and South America except Brazil. It is also the second most spoken language in the United States. It is spoken by more than 34 million Latin Americans.
3. Italians greet each other with the word “ciao”.
4. German is the official language of Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Liechtenstein and parts of Italy. In these countries, you can hear the greetings “halo” (“hello”) and “guten tag” (“good afternoon”).
5. “Namaste” is a greeting in Hindi. This language is spoken in northern India and Nepal.
6. “Salam” - this is how residents of Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, some regions of Uzbekistan and Bahrain greet each other, where they speak Persian, which is sometimes called Farsi.
7. The Greeks say "yasas" (""), "yasu" ("hello"), or simply "ya" ("hello").
8. In Yiddish (Jewish language) you can say hello like this: “sholem aleichem” (literally - “peace be upon you”), “gut morgn/tog/ovnt” (“good morning/afternoon/evening”).
9. The following greetings are accepted in the Latvian language (Latvia): “labden”, “sveiki”, “chou” (informal greeting).
10. In Lithuania they say “laba dena” in a formal setting, “labas” or “sveikas” (addressing a man), “sveika” (addressing a woman) and “sveiki” (addressing a group of people).
11. Ukrainians say “hello” or “get ahead.”
12. On Belarusian language you can say “good morning/zen/evening”, “good morning/afternoon/evening”.
13. Danes greet friends with “hai” or “haisa”. A more formal version is “god dag” (“good afternoon”).
14. In Romania, you can greet someone like this: “buna ziua” or “salute”.
15. In Armenia it is customary to say “barev” when meeting.
Kartvelian languages
Kartvelian languages are common in the Western Caucasus. Most famous representatives this group is the Georgian language. Georgians, when greeting someone, say “gamarjoba”.
Ural-Altaic languages
1. In Japan they say "Ohayo/Konnichiwa/Konbanwa", which means "good morning/afternoon/evening".
2. Both in Northern and South Korea The greeting sounds like this: “Annyeon-haseyo.”
3. Mongolians greet like this: “baina uu.”
4. Almost 7 million out of 10 million live in Kazakhstan. The remaining 3 million settled in China's Xinxiang province, Uzbekistan, Russia, Mongolia, Turkmenistan, Ukraine and Tajikistan. Kazakhs say “salametsiz be” when greeting a person. The literal translation of this expression is “how are you?”
5. In Hungarian the greeting sounds like this: “servus” or “sia”.
6. In Estonia, you can greet someone with the words “tere peevast,” which means “good afternoon.”
7. Finns say “hyva paivaa” (“good afternoon” or “hello”) or simply “mine” (“hello”).
8. In Turkey, when greeting a person, they say “merhaba/meraba”, “” (“hello”, “hello”) or “günnaydin” (“good afternoon”).
Afroasiatic languages
This language group includes the languages of the peoples of North Africa and the Berber languages spoken in the Sahara Desert. Representatives of the Arab world, when greeting a person, say “maraba”. In different dialects it may sound like "merhaba" or "meraba". Arabic is spoken in northern Africa and the Middle East. It is the main official language of the following countries: Algeria, Bahrain, Chad, Egypt, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, UAE, Western Sahara, Yemen.
Sino-Tibetan languages
1. “Ni how” is the greeting in Mandarin. It is considered the most widely spoken language in the world due to the number of Chinese people. It is spoken by at least 50% of the Chinese population.
2. Cantonese is spoken in Southern China, Hong Kong and Macau. The greeting "nii hou", like "ni hau" in Mandarin, means "you feel good."
Austronesian languages
1. In Malay, “good morning/good afternoon/” sounds like “slamat pagi/tengahari/petang”.
2. On the island of Hawaii, tourists are greeted with the word “aloha.”
3. Tagalog is spoken in the Philippines. To say hello, say “kamusta.”