Hi everyone
I read recently a blog post at a reluctant mom about greeting and why it can sometimes become very confusing.
Greeting can put you in awkward situations, especially if you are an expat living in a foreign country. I was curious how other expats are feeling about this, so I posted a question on twitter asking - I am curious - How do you greet others in your host country?
I would like to share with you some of the answers:
@US_Unlocked Hey, how are ya?
@JessInChina kidding right? I smile & say hello. they act like I just tried 2 rob them. rush on by. I'm a chick for goodness sake!
@AnnKatrin_B - A Swede in Germany - I look learn and follow and sometimes excuse myself for being a silly Swede not understanding all the rules of greeting... Whom to kiss on the cheek, how many times, who should have a handshake, who do you "wave" to - impossible to know. I try though.
@sarainsantiago Usually a kiss on the cheek.
@bellavventura 'Moien' (Luxembourgish) that when I have to revert to French.
@hollysuel I'm in Finland and it is the same as the USA...
@msamayoa i'm from Latin America (El Salvador) and how we great there is handshake for guys and one kiss on cheek for girls... :)
@TheWritingWell - A brit expat living in the Netherlands - in NL it is with 3 kisses on alternate cheeks with friends, family and those u know. It's a handshake for strangers.
magpiegirl In Denmark you are supposed to introduce your self and maybe shake hands. no kissing or hugging. but in the Danish expat community it is all over the map! handshakes, hugs, 1, 2 or 3 kisess...we all just bumble and laugh.
I find this list very interesting, Don't you?
Please contribute to the above list by sending a tweet to @expatsguide, or by commenting on this post.
Sharon
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