What is an appropriate way to greet people?

[Hitro]

Assume you meet a bunch of buddies (male and female). No special occasion, no birthday, you see them regularly and know them well but not too well.

How do you like the inevitable greeting ritual to be:

- saying "Hello" or something equivalent: to me that's already quite fine

- handshake: also allright, but should be a firm one

- hug: absolutely not necessary, hugging is a gesture of affection that might be conducted for a birthday or when you haven't see the person in half a year, and that all only to close friends and relatives

- kissing on the cheek: even worse than hugging, should in fact never be done. You might kiss your spouse on the mouth, but noone needs to be kissed on the cheek

Your view?

 

[storealex]

How about a Heil?

Just kidding.

I shake hands usually, and hug the girls. But really depends which people, and which occasion.

 

[Hitro]

How about a Heil?

Definetely better than cheek kissing.

I shake hands usually, and hug the girls. But really depends which people, and which occasion.

I do so to, but try to avoid it. The question is how should it be if it was up to you.

 

[AceChilla]

I usually moon them, but in the winter months I shake hands because of the cold.

 

[Abaddon]

friends of friends male: firm hand shake followed by "arright"
friends of friends female: check out, say "hello" with levels of enthusiam controlled by result of check out

 

[storealex]

I do so to, but try to avoid it. The question is how should it be if it was up to you.

Oh, then I'd say a handshake with buddies, and a toungekiss with the sexy girls.

 

[The Last Conformist]

Usually a "hallo" or similar phrase. Hugs with females you know well and haven't met in a while.

 

[Hitro]

Usually a "hallo" or similar phrase. Hugs with females you know well and haven't met in a while.

You are a good Nothern man.

 

[Abaddon]

Assume you meet a bunch of buddies (male and female). No special occasion, no birthday, you see them regularly and know them well but not too well.

eye contact along with a grunted "arright" for guys and "hi" girls

 

[slip79]

Say hi/hello/how ya doin? Hug if I know them well and haven't seen them in ages.

 

[general_kill]

depends, if they are busy talking to someone else, I'd usually walk pass them not greeting them at all. I see them so many times a day that it's unusual to stop and interrupt friends just to say hi. It's kind of like at home, how you would not say hi to your mom every time you see her.

But for greetings, a shake/"pound" is enough. For girls it really depends, I know a girl who punches me everyday when she sees me and I know a girl who wants to talk every time I see her, I usually just give them a nod and move on.

 

[The Last Conformist]

I know a girl who punches me everyday when she sees me

Hit her back and she'll stop.

 

[SeleucusNicator]

I have an arm gesture that I use to greet people, especially if I meet them while we are both walking in opposite directions and don't have time to shout. I picked it up from a Greek kid I went to high school with. I'm not sure if its normal in Greece or just one of his (many) eccentricities.

I might couple that with a "Hi", "Ahoy", or "Greetings" as well. If they're somebody I'm cool with, I greet them by saying their name. If they're a high ranking official, I greet them by stating their full title.

 

[Abaddon]

I think what would be more entertaining is to say what is the most inappropriate way you have been met.

For me, its shaking someones hand, but they only "offer" you the tips of their fingers.... man a floppy weak handshake feels so abnormal.

 

[Mystical Ninja]

A swift kick to the groin!

Failing that a firm handshake for guys. With girls, I tend to run in the opposite direction.

 

[Xen]

usually just say hello, and give high fives if I happen to like them (yes, seriouslly Hitro- we americans give high fives allt he time, and I am one proud american)- I accept female hugs as offered, generally.

 

[Yeeek]

handshake with guys, saying "salut" with friends and "bonjour monsieur/madame" or sometimes just a nod with a smile for people i work with but are above me and don't have any affinity with

i do cheek kiss female friends that i know since a while, i'm not sure if you can qualify holding the shoulder when you kiss someone on the cheek a hug though.

actully, i don't hug people to greet them, just my girlfriend or close people, ie a cousin, nephew ect.

 

[Riesstiu IV]

A Headbutt then a punch in the stomach.

 

[Che Guava]

Handshakes for new aquaintances.
Hugs for good friends and family.
Cheek kisses for close female relatives.

and a tip of my hat to strangers in the night...

 

[Kozmos]

I would give a standard LUE response,but that would lead to modernation of the post.So I gues say hello,or the secret handshake.