It is always interesting to learn something new and unusual. And sometimes it is also very useful: for example, when it is necessary to travel to a foreign country and not incur trouble by ignorance of local customs. Cheers, it would seem, what could be easier? But in this matter, different peoples have cardinal differences. Sometimes a friendly handshake or a hearty kiss on the cheek can cause a quarrel, and in some countries, it can show your affection in completely unexpected ways.
Handshake
Shaking hands is one of the oldest ways to express your affection and greet another person. Initially, it more symbolized the recognition of peace and friendship. And nowadays, the handshake is a more or less universal gesture for greeting. But there are exceptions to this rule. In India, shaking hands is an ancient custom that in ancient times was part of a wedding ceremony. The handshake was also ceremonial among the ancient Romans, it was from them that it came to Christianity. Over time, shaking hands took on a simple form of greeting. However, some peoples do it in a special way: for example, the Maasai tribes, before shaking hands, spit on their palms. It is not the most pleasant way to say hello, but if it is so accepted, it is better not to offend your interlocutor.
Interesting fact from Novate.ru: Another rather old-fashioned way of greeting is to take off your hat. Its roots go back to knightly times, when warriors took off their helmets and bared their heads, making it unprotected and thus demonstrating peaceful intentions. This technique has become widespread in many countries and peoples, thanks to which over time it has become generally accepted throughout the world. A further simplification of this method of greeting was the laying of the palm of the hand on the headdress, similar to the intention to bare the head.
2. A special Tibetan greeting
In many countries of the world, if a person shows you his tongue, this is a reason to be offended or at least surprised by such free behavior. Such treatment is permissible only for children or close acquaintances, relatives, friends as a joke or a playful gesture. But in Tibet, such a gesture has a radically opposite meaning: by showing your tongue, you can express your deep respect to another person. This unusual tradition has very ancient roots: even during the reign of King Lang Dharma, who was the owner of the black language. After his death, in order to prove that you have no malicious intent, any Tibetan was not afraid to show his tongue. In addition, in this people it is sometimes customary to take off your headdress with the right hand, and put it behind the ear with the left.
3. Welcome to Congo
A special ritual is used to greet the Congo. First you need to stretch out your hands towards each other, and then blow on them.
4. Say hello or insult?
In almost every country in the world, spitting is an obvious insult or expression of displeasure. But the indigenous peoples of Kenya have a radically opposite opinion. To show respect in this country, you need to spit on the counter.
5. Kisses
In many European countries, a kiss on the cheek is a common way to express your goodwill and good attitude towards a close friend. Russia is no exception in this regard. In France, even unfamiliar people often kiss each other on the cheeks when they meet, and during parting they send air kisses and touch each other alternately with each cheek. In some countries, even the number of kisses matters. For example, in Italy, Spain and Belgium it is customary to kiss a person on both cheeks, in Ukraine and Russia they often kiss three times, but in Germany kisses should be completely neglected: in this country, excessive emotionality and lovingness are not welcome.
6. "Hello" in Filipino
The Filipinos have an ancient tradition of greeting another person. When meeting, that counter, who is younger in age and lower in status, must take the right hand of another person and touch it with his forehead.
7. Friendliness of Africa
In the central regions of Africa, people greet with a polite bow and complement it with a clapping of their hands. In western Africa, the greeting is expressed in friendly strokes on the chest with the palms.
8. Japanese traditions
In Japan, as in many other Asian countries, it is customary to greet with a polite bow. Moreover, the more respect you show, the lower you need to bow. Especially low bows should be received by young people in relation to elders, as well as by those who have a lower status.
9. New Zealand surprises
In some areas of New Zealand, they still greet each other by touching each other with their noses. Such a special method appeared in ancient times, when it was believed that such a touch represents the separation of breath for two, the combination of which even the gods see. Also in New Zealand, it is believed that such a ritual allows you to determine whether a person is good or not, by closer contact with his inner energy.
And these 8 popular gestures around the world don't mean the same thing.