Once I was standing at the entrance of a manufacturing plant when I saw about 50 workermen kissing goodbye each other.

That should have been fun to watch :)

Thanks for the comment – it is very informative!

About meeting your friend – I don’t think you should be unduly worried. If he knows you well and your culture, I think a hug or kiss on the cheek (or whichever greeting you used before you parted), would not be inappropriate.

But if you do meet any of his family members or friends – especially men, a hug or kiss may be considered too personal. Would be a good chance to try out the Indian greeting of “Namaste” – put your hands together in front of you (like when you pray) and say “Namaste”.

Have a great time in India =)

See, he is Indian, and I met him in US. We were very close back then and also lived in a different culture. Now, as we are ready to remeet I am not sure how to say hello. Any hints?

To give you a clue of where I come from and to contribute to your cultural awareness about handshakes and the sort, let me share my own experience in Latin America (I travel a lot because of my job):

Venezuela: first time you meet somebody, you do handshakes. In informal settings, you will always kiss once in the cheek after that. In business settings, all depends on the raport between the people. For example, I kiss good morning and goodbye my colleagues and boss every day. If somebody is departing or arriving for long time, or it is an special ocassion (a lost, birthday, promotion)you also hug close and shortly. This is between men and women or women between themselves. Men only do handshakes, and maybe some padding in the back or a hug, depending on closeness. In family settings, some men also kiss their fathers, grandfathers or close uncles.

Colombia: handshake is common, but hugging is more restricted to informal friends and family. In business, I would say handshakes is the norm. This applies to men and women.

Argentina: same as in Venezuela. Only that men kiss men too. Twice. Once I was standing at the entrance of a manufacturing plant when I saw about 50 workermen kissing goodbye each other.

Mexico: a lot less physical contact. Handshake are the norm, and it is not that common to kiss people. Same for hugging and padding.

Brazil: two kisses while holding your shoulders to say hello and goodbye. Same as in other countries, maybe introductions and business environment will only include handshaking.

US: kissing or hugging is not that common until you get really acquaintant to somebody.

I said “I am sorry I am a foreigner. Could you translate what you just said?”

He smiled and said “I said Hello”!!

I later found out that the Arab people have an elaborate way of greeting each other!! Man, I felt like such a fool.

Maybe the Catalans can choose to kiss five times to be different from the Spaniards – and to make life even more complicated for the rest of us..I had met a “Catalan” during a recent training..the “Catalan & the rest of Spain” thing is realy amusing ..and often entertaining.

I think unlearning will probably be as difficult as it was to learn the new ways..i havent tried it yet, but considering the blunders i make everytime I go home, it doesnt look that easy..!

Thanks for the comment – and really, dont apologize for the long comment. It is very interesting and I loved it! Cheers..

I still find it wierd when guys kiss each other..I can imagine the confusions when each person decides to kiss a different number of times – wonder if there is a heirarchy to decide whose choice wins..

Thanks for the nomination! Havent seen you aro before – welcome to the blog! =)

Good you warned me abt the German back massages – havent seen them yet, and hope I wont be at the receiving end. I agree Indians tends to be less physical in terms of greetings – and its certainly hard to wear off, esp when it comes to strangers. hope to hear more abt ur experiences once u r back.

By the way, in France though it varies from North to South (from 2 to 3 to 4 kisses) its a common custom! And hugs too. Though hugs are reserved for the closest of friends and not for everyone. (Thats even more in Germany actually – and notice the way the back in massaged – you may not see this unless you have a very close German friend – but you can observe when families get together etc.)

One big diff between Indians (perhaps Asians too) is how less physical we are. Every day morning when you walk to your office – a nod and a half smile is enough in most Indian offices. But in most European cultures you greet with the name. Again the details vary from coutnry to country and region to region!

About business cards, while not taken as seriously as the Japanese, its not good manners not to read someone’s business card when given to you. But I think we in India we overuse business cards as well – just like we do with most things.

And we mallus are an extreme. We just dont seem to have much in terms of greeting customs. In the north (I have lived most of my life in various parts of India, and my wife is from North) – there is much more elaborate custom of greetings – including as you rightly mentioned – touching feet. Just like you I am not into it – but my parents adore most of my northie friends who touch their feet! It just is part of their custom, just like removing shoes while entering house for many of us!

Check this site out for more on international etiquette: http://www.executiveplanet.com/