Greetings Around the World
HELLO!
The approximately 1.5 billion English speakers in the world might reply back to you with “Hello,” “Hi,” “Hey,” or one of numerous other variations. Just like in English, there are many different styles for greeting one another in other languages and cultures too! In this article, we are going to explore a few of these greetings from around the globe.
MÉXICO
Generally, in Mexico, it is polite to greet with a handshake and an expression of interest in the other person’s health and family. However, if you become close with someone, an embrace and kiss on the right cheek is more common. Kissing is more frequent with women than men. Greeting customs often differ by region, though. In areas with largely indigenous populations, such as Oaxaca, a loose handshake is standard, but hugging is rare outside of the family.
When being introduced to multiple people, each person is expected to be greeted individually, never as a group! Calling people by their titles, such as Señora, Señorita, or Señor (Mrs., Miss, or Mr.), is also common. When greeting elders, Don (meaning Sir) or Doña (meaning Ma’am) is seen as polite.
If you know someone well, phrases such as ‘¡Qué onda!’ or ¡Qué tranza!’ are often used, they can be loosely translated to mean ‘What’s Up?’ in English. To be slightly more formal, you can say ‘Hola, qué gusto!’ which means ‘Hello, what a pleasure seeing you!’ in English.
When it comes to informal social occasions, people in Mexico can turn up 30 minutes late or sometimes even more! It’s also not rare for people to interrupt a conversation to greet another person. Unlike in other countries, this is not seen as rude or impolite. However, punctuality is still key at more formal events in Mexico.
UGANDA
Have you eaten? And if you have, how are you eating? If I inquired about your diet upon our first meeting, you might be caught off guard. That is not the case for anyone who speaks Luganda, a local language of the Buganda kingdom in the central region of Uganda. Although there are many greetings for different scenarios, the general greeting "Oli otya" (to an individual) or "Muli mutya" (to groups of people) directly translates to “how do you eat.”
Taken as a grammatical joke from time to time, this greeting focuses on the proverbial relation between one's welfare and their indulgence in basic needs; the better one fares, the better they eat. The response is "Gendi" (for an individual) and "Getuli" (for a group of people), which literally means "I am here" or "We are here.” Figuratively, though, these statements convey that the speaker is doing well.
SPAIN
Like in Mexico, punctuality isn’t hugely important in Spain unless the meeting is for business. People also tend to prefer meeting in public spaces such as cafés and restaurants. If you are invited into someone's home, it is expected that you bring a gift — typically something like chocolate which can be shared out between people, as well as a small present for any children.
In Spain, it’s also common for individuals to greet each other with a kiss starting on the left cheek. When kissing, people mostly just touch cheeks and make a kissing sound. Your lips don’t actually touch the other person’s cheek at all! Once people have gotten to know each other, they may begin to hug when they meet; men might also pat each other on the shoulder.
Even in formal and professional settings, people in Spain tend to become acquainted and reach a first-name basis with each other very quickly. In formal situations, phrases like ‘Encantado de conocerle’ (which literally translates to ‘charmed to know you’) can be used. People might also say ‘Buenos días’ , ‘buenas tardes’ or ‘buenas noches’ to say good morning, afternoon or night. This phrase is semi-formal and can be used in many situations. With people you are close with, this greeting can be shortened to ‘buenas.’
PAKISTAN
The most common greeting in Pakistan is "As-Salamu-Alaykum” ('Peace be upon you'). This is an Arabic greeting which is popular among Muslims.The standard reply to this is "Wa-Alaikum-Salaam," meaning "And unto you peace.” A longer version of this greeting includes "wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh" (and blessings of Allah be with you) at the end, with this same phrase being added to the response as well.
People meeting for the first time usually shake hands, while people who know each other better may hug each other with one or both arms. Shaking one's hand with both hands, as well as putting one's right hand on the chest after shaking hands, is a way to show more respect. During the COVID-19 pandemic as people avoided shaking hands, placing a hand on your chest and gently nodding was the standard greeting. If people see each other from a distance and a handshake is not convenient, they may raise their hand to their head, sometimes followed by a gentle nod.
In more traditional circumstances, men and women will share a verbal greeting but make no physical contact. Elder women greet men of their family either by a verbal greeting or a tap on the back. Women may kiss each other on both cheeks or hug each other with one or both arms if they know each other well.
INDIA
Joining your palms together, slightly bowing, and saying NamasTe (नमस्ते) is the dominant greeting in Indian culture. The word NamasTe literally means "I bow to the divine in you" (Namaha+Te), since Hindus generally believe that God resides in everyone. Thus, NamasTe is a way of respecting the inner souls of other people. NamasTe has many variations, including Namaskara, Namaskara, Namaskaramu.
However, India is one of the most culturally and linguistically diverse countries in the world. With over 100 languages represented, it follows that India also has a wide variety of greetings that differ significantly by region. Here is just a small sampling of some of these greetings:
(Sita) Ram (Sita) Ram is the second most popular form of greeting and is modeled in the name of Shri Ram, the 7th Avatar of Vishnu.
Jai Shri Krishna
Radhe Radhe
Sat Sri Akaal = Blessed is the one who says God is the Truth
Vanakkam
Khamma Ghani
Juleh
Jai Jinendra
Swami Saranam
Aadab
Dhaal Karu
Narmade Har = May Narmada (river) take away all your sorrows and sufferings
Pranam = is used from younger people while talking with elder ones and they also touch their feets
Jai Jhulelal = is very used by the Sindhi community and they believe that Jhulelal was the incarnation of Varun, the lord of the Seas
Jai Mata Di
How do you say "hello" in your native language? Comment below!
