YOSH OLIMLAR

ILMIY-AMALIY KONFERENSIYASI
in-academy.uz/index.php/yo
THE GREETINGS IN DIFFERENT CULTURES
Alimardon Toshmatov
The teacher of English language and literature department, FSU
Sultonova Hilolaxon Bobojon qizi
Fergana State University
The Faculty of English language and literature, Third year student
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.11082146
Abstract. Greetings play an important role in every culture, serving as a way to show respect,
establish rapport, and build relationships. Different cultures have unique greetings that reflect
their values, traditions, and social norms. Understanding and respecting these cultural
differences is essential when interacting with people from different backgrounds. In this
article, we will explore some of the fascinating and diverse greetings practices around the
world.
Key words: Greetings, culture, relationship, tradition, values, social norms, show respect,
unique.
Annotatsiya. Salomlashish har bir madaniyatda muhim rol o'ynaydi, hurmat ko'rsatish,
o'zaro munosabat o'rnatish va munosabatlarni o'rnatish uchun xizmat qiladi. Turli
madaniyatlar o'zlarining qadriyatlari, an'analari va ijtimoiy me'yorlarini aks ettiruvchi o'ziga
xos tabriklarga ega. Ushbu madaniy farqlarni tushunish va hurmat qilish turli xil odamlar
bilan muloqot qilishda muhim ahamiyatga ega. Ushbu maqolada biz butun dunyo bo'ylab
salomlashishning qiziqarli va xilma-xil usullarini ko'rib chiqamiz.
Kalit soʻzlar: Salomlashish, madaniyat, Munosabatlar, an'analar, qadriyatlar, ijtimoiy
me'yorlar, hurmat ko'rsatish, noyob.

INTRODUCTION
Greeting someone you know is a vital part of courtesy and goodwill. All societies have some
form of greeting. They are basic to civilized interaction. From the bowing of Japan to the
handshakes of Western cultures, greetings serve as a window into the values and norms of
each society, showcasing the richness and diversity of human interaction. By exploring and
embracing these differences, individuals can foster greater understanding and appreciation
for other cultures while building meaningful connections across borders. In many Western
countries, a handshake is considered a warm, respectful greeting when meeting strangers or
kicking off business meetings. But in other places in the world, not so much. Taking the time
to learn how locals meet and greet is the first step to making a meaningful connection no
matter where you are. From bumping noses in Qatar to bowing in Laos, here are 10 ways
people greet each other in different countries and cultures. (Some of these gestures can be
made without touching, which is especially helpful if youre currently opting for no-contact
salutes to prevent the spread of coronavirus.)
1. Stick out your tongue
Tibet
Blame this greeting tradition on a really bad king. It all began with monks, who would stick
out their tongues to show that they came in peace and werent the reincarnation of a cruel 9th-
century king named Lang Darma, who was known for having a black tongue. Needless to say,
the greeting caught on.
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ILMIY-AMALIY KONFERENSIYASI
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2. Bump noses
Qatar, Yemen, Oman, United Arab Emirates
Want to demonstrate that you view a potential business contact as a peer? Forget shaking
hands; instead, bring your nose in for a few friendly taps. Just remember: Sniffing isn’t part of
the equation.
3. Air kiss on the cheek
In Argentina, Chile, Peru, Mexico, São Paulo (Brazil) and Colombia, one air kiss is standard,
whereas in Spain, Portugal, Paraguay, Italy, and cities like Paris and Québec, it’s two. In
Russia and Ukraine, three is the norm, and in some parts of France, it’s up to four air kisses
on alternating cheeks. To add a little more confusion to the mix, there are some tricky gender
and relationship rules, too. In all of the countries mentioned, women air kiss women, and in
most of them, men air kiss women, but only in Argentina do men routinely brush cheeks with
other men who arent relatives or romantic partners.
4. Rub noses (and sometimes foreheads)
New Zealand
If air kisses sound too intimate for your taste, try on hongi for size. This pressing together of
forehead and nose is what New Zealand’s indigenous Māori people call a “sharing of breath.”
The greeting signifies the sacred welcoming of a visitor into Māori culture and is used at
pōwhiri (Māori welcoming ceremonies) although the honor requires an invitation and isnt
extended to everyone.
5. Put your hand on your heart
Malaysia
Its very formal, but this traditional Malaysian greeting has a particularly lovely sentiment
behind it. Take the opposite persons hands lightly in yours. Then, release the other person’s
hands and bring your own hands to your chest and nod slightly to symbolize goodwill and an
open heart. It’s polite for the other person to return the gesture. Note that men should wait for
local women to extend a hand, and if they dont, a man should put a hand on his chest and give
a slight nod.
6. Bow
Cambodia, India, Nepal, Laos, Thailand, and Japan
When it comes to bowing, the question isnt just when to take a bow, its how to do it. In India,
Nepal, Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand, press your palms together in an upward-pointing prayer
position at heart level or higher, then bend your head slightly forward to take a bow. In India
and Nepal, you might hear the phrase namaste uttered during this greeting; the Sanskrit term
translates to bend or bow to you, and is considered a sign of respect and gratitude.
7. Revere your elders
Asia and Africa
Throughout Asia and Africa, honoring your elders is a given. This means greeting seniors and
older folks before younger people and always using culture-specific titles and terms of respect
upon first meeting. In the Philippines, locals have a particularly unique way of showing their
reverence. They take an older person’s hand and press it gently to their foreheads. In India,
locals touch older people’s feet as a show of respect. In Liberia, as well as among members of
the Yoruba people in Nigeria, young people drop to one or both knees to honor their elders.

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ILMIY-AMALIY KONFERENSIYASI
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Greetings are an important part of social interactions in every culture, and they often reflect
the values and customs of that society. Here are some examples of greetings in different
cultures:
1. In Japan, a common greeting is "Konnichiwa," which means "hello" or "good afternoon."
Bowing is also a common form of greeting in Japanese culture.
2. In India, people often greet each other with the word "Namaste," which means "I bow to
you." The gesture involves pressing the palms together in front of the chest and bowing
slightly.
3. In China, a common greeting is "Ni hao," which means "hello." Handshakes are also
commonly used in business settings.
4. In Thailand, people greet each other by pressing their palms together in a prayer-like
gesture called the "wai."
5. In Russia, it is customary to greet with a firm handshake and direct eye contact.
CONCLUSION
Greetings vary widely across different cultures and can reflect the values and customs of a
particular society. In some cultures, greetings are formal and may involve bowing or shaking
hands, while in others they are more casual and may involve hugs or kisses on the cheek. In
some cultures, it is important to address someone by their title or last name, while in others
first names are used. In many Eastern cultures, such as Japan and China, greetings are
accompanied by bowing as a sign of respect. In Middle Eastern cultures, it is common to greet
with a warm handshake and multiple kisses on the cheek. In Latin American countries,
greetings are often accompanied by physical contact such as hugs or kisses on the cheek. In
African cultures, greetings are an important part of social interaction and may involve lengthy
exchanges of pleasantries.

References:
1. Aubrey, Alison: No-Touch Greetings Take off: People are Getting Creative About saying
“Hi”
2. Byrnes, Hristina: Kisses, Handshakes, and Fist Bumps: How to Say Hello in 40 Countries
3. Ciolli, Chris: Beyond the Handshake: How People Greet Each Other Around the World
4. Essays in Colorado History, Issues 5-10. Colorado Historical Society. 1987. p. 101. "Niech
będzie pochwalony Jezus Chrystus" in Polish, a common verbal and written greeting among
the Polish peasantry.

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