Greetings Around the World
Greeting↕ | Origin↕ | Gesture↕ | Meaning↕ |
|---|---|---|---|
Handshake | Ancient Greece, worldwide | Right hands clasped and shaken | Originally showed no weapons in hand, trust and agreement |
Bow (Ojigi) | Japan | Bend at waist, eyes down, depth varies by respect | Respect, apology, greeting, gratitude - all in one gesture |
Namaste | India | Palms together at chest, slight bow | The divine in me honors the divine in you |
Wai | Thailand | Palms together, higher hands for more respect | Respect, hello, thank you, apology |
Hongi | New Zealand (Maori) | Pressing noses and foreheads together | Sharing the breath of life (ha) |
Cheek Kiss (Bise) | France | Air kisses on each cheek, 2-4 times depending on region | Warmth, familiarity, friendship |
Eskimo Kiss (Kunik) | Inuit | Pressing nose and upper lip against another's face | Affection between family members in cold climates |
Salaam | Middle East and Muslim world | Right hand to forehead then heart | Peace be upon you (As-salamu alaykum) |
Kowtow | Imperial China | Kneeling and touching forehead to the ground | Deep reverence, historically to emperors and elders |
Curtsy | Europe | Bending knees with a slight bow | Respect to royalty or elders, formal greeting by women |
Tibetan Tongue Stick | Tibet | Sticking out the tongue | Proves you are not the reincarnation of a cruel king with a black tongue |
Mongolian Hada | Mongolia and Tibet | Exchanging a silk scarf (khata) | Respect, good wishes, ceremonial welcome |
Ethiopian Shoulder Bump | Ethiopia | Shoulders touching while shaking hands | Greeting between close friends and equals |
Zambian Handclap | Zambia | Clapping hands before a handshake | Respect, especially to elders |
Tuareg Veil Pull | Sahara (Tuareg people) | Men pull the veil higher when greeting | Respect by covering the mouth |
Maasai Jumping (Adumu) | Kenya and Tanzania | Warriors jump high in place | Display of strength and greeting between warriors |
Free to explore · No signup needed
Frequently asked questions
How is the Greetings Around The World list ranked?
The Greetings Around the World list is currently sorted by the source data's default ordering. Community voting is not enabled on this dataset.
How many entries are in this Greetings Around The World dataset?
This dataset contains 16 entries, each with multiple sortable, filterable columns. The full table is visible on this page and can be downloaded as a CSV, JSON, or Excel file.
Can I download the Greetings Around The World data?
Yes. The download buttons at the top of the page give you the full 16-row dataset as CSV, JSON, or Excel. Use of the data is permitted under a Creative Commons Attribution license — credit dtbse.com when you republish.
Related Datasets
More in Culture
Table Manners Around the World
Slurping in Japan, no-left-hand in India, eating with hands in Ethiopia - whose dining etiquette is the strictest?
Gift-Giving Customs Around the World
Japanese omiyage, Russian odd numbers, Korean white envelopes - whose gift etiquette is the trickiest to get right?
Most Spoken Languages
25 most spoken languages in the world ranked by total number of speakers, with native speaker counts, language family, writing system, and number of countries.
Coming-of-Age Rituals Around the World
Bar mitzvah, quinceanera, Sateré bullet ant glove - which rite of passage into adulthood is the toughest?
Religious Holy Cities
Mecca, Jerusalem, Varanasi, Lhasa - which sacred city holds the most spiritual power?
Funeral Traditions Around the World
Tibetan sky burials, Mexican Dia de Muertos, Ghanaian fantasy coffins - which death ritual honors the dead best?
World Festivals & Celebrations
Major festivals and celebrations from cultures around the world with timing, significance, and traditions.
UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Pakistan
UNESCO World Heritage Sites located in Pakistan.
European Nobility Titles
Duke, Marquess, Earl, Viscount, Baron - which rank of European nobility carries the grandest title?
Sufi Orders
Naqshbandi, Mevlevi, Chishti, Qadiri - which mystical path of Islam comes closest to the divine?
Dance Forms of the World
Traditional and modern dance forms from around the world.
South Asian Wedding Songs
20 iconic South Asian wedding songs spanning Bollywood, Bhangra, and Coke Studio, with artist, language, year, wedding occasion, and genre.