How Do You Greet People?

[Foxaèr]

A simple "hi" with no physical contact. Keep your "how are yous" to yourself unless you want to hear about how "I'm doing horribly".

[Angrboda]

A simple "hi" with no physical contact.  Keep your "how are yous" to yourself unless you want to hear about how "I'm doing horribly".

"How are you" is a greeting, not a question.

[Foxaèr]

A simple "hi" with no physical contact.  Keep your "how are yous" to yourself unless you want to hear about how "I'm doing horribly".

"How are you" is a greeting, not a question.

Yet people always answer with "good" and then return the question back to the other person, "how are you?" If it was just a greeting, instead of a question, it wouldn't require the answer everyone expects to hear.

[The Valkyrie]

At sword point.

Is that doctor code for scalpel?

-Teresa

No, I actually have a small collection of swords. Mostly katana.

[emjay]

I'll get to greetings some other time but as to saying goodbye, since I've quit smoking I've realised that I have two new ways of doing so... when I smoked I had really bad nicotine stains on my fingers that I was ashamed of but now they're gone completely.... so... for the first time in about twenty years, I can unashamedly give someone the finger, or two if I'm feeling frivolous

---

As for greetings I just generally give people a nod of acknowledgment if I pass them in the street or whatever, sometimes accompanied with 'alright?'. And a handshake if I'm introducing myself to someone. But other that, I don't think I hug to say hello, only goodbye, and only then with close friends and family. I don't kiss people in greetings or goodbyes.

[Crossless2.0]

Is that doctor code for scalpel?

-Teresa

No, I actually have a small collection of swords. Mostly katana.

. . . and she just keeps getting hotter and hotter.

[The Valkyrie]

No, I actually have a small collection of swords. Mostly katana.

. . . and she just keeps getting hotter and hotter.

My favourite is a replica of one of the McLeod’s swords from Highlander.

[emjay]

. . . and she just keeps getting hotter and hotter.

My favourite is a replica of one of the McLeod’s swords from Highlander.

You don't happen to have a yellow and black jump suit do you?

[energizer bunny]

I greet people with a stare down like they do after fight weigh-ins.

[CapnAwesome]

I'm curious how you (yes, you) greet friends and acquaintances.
A handshake? Hug? Kiss on both (face) cheeks? A piercing, thousand meter stare? Look at the floor and no eye contact? Awkward giggles? Do you greet men vs. women differently?

My family was very hands-off while I was growing up so hugging or any physical contact was verboten. Then I moved to California, with lots of different cultures and attitudes. Now I do lot more hugging when greeting friends, acquaintances and even business associates. But I try to read body language before I go in for the kill.
It takes awhile to get settled into parties with my Latino friends with all the hugging and handshaking upon arrival, which I love.

But occasionally, just when I think I have it all figured out, I meet someone new and end up in an awkward situation.

So how do you greet people?

-Teresa

With men I give a handshake. With women I kiss the back of the hand and bow.