DIFFERENT WAYS TO GREET EACH OTHER

The ongoing corona pandemics has many consequences. One of them is that people start discussing, if it a good idea that we continue to shake hands, when we greet each other.  The American epidemics boss ( not Trump ☹ ) has suggested that we stop giving hand, because infections are very easily spread this way.  Let us have a look at other ways to greet each other around the world. What they are called – and what you do. Perhaps we might get inspired. And why not use your time during the lock-out to try some of them out 😊

The tradition with a handshake goes more than 2000 years back. And it has to be the right hand you use. Why?  Because the right hand was normally use to carry your weapon – a sword, a knife, or a gun. And by putting forward your empty right hand you show that you are not armed. It is a sign of confidence, friendship and openness.

In Denmark there is even an association promoting genuine handshakes. You can see more – in Danish – here:  https://haandtryk.dk   

In Thailand you greet each other with the very elegant Wai.  It is a small bow with your body and your head – while you at the same time hold your palms together. And the higher your hands are in relation to your face, the more respect you show.

In Japan you traditionally greet each other with a small nod with your head – or a bow, which in some cases might go all the way down to 90 % in relation to your waist.

In China you often use the old Mandarin greeting called KowTow.  You fold your hands and bends forward – sometime so much that your head reaches the floor. In this way you show your greatest respect. 

In Tibet they do it in a very different way. The country had a terrible king many centuries ago. He had a black tongue. And people were ever since afraid that he would return via reincarnation. That is why they greeted / still greet ? each other by sticking their tongue out – just to show that they were / are not the reincarnated king 😊

If you come to Kenya you are often greeted by the energetic Masai dance called the springing Adamu dance. You might well be invited to join in!

The Eskimos in Greenland have a different way to greet strangers. You have to push your nose and your upper lip towards the other person’s skin – and at the same time breathe. PS: Do not do it, if your nose “is running”. They you risk to freeze and get stuck with the other person’s skin.

And then we have the Maories in New Zealand. They use the century old greeting called Hongi.  You make your noses meet. By doing that you are shown that you are no longer a stranger. You are one of ours. Remember to keep your eyes open on the way to the other person’s nose. If not, you risk to misplace your nose giving your friend a black eye or a wounded nose 😊

The Romans used a special greeting: they raised their right arm about 45 degrees in relation to their body – with the palms downwards and the fingers kept together on each hand.  This greeting was later compromised by the nazis and the Italian fascists. They wanted to be seen as the successors of the Romans.

I am still on the outlook for information about how my ancestors, the Cimbrians, greeted each other. Can anybody help?  And how about my other ancestors, the Vikings?  I know they said “Heill ok Sæll” ( health and happiness). But what did they do when saying that?

But now you have something to do in the days to come 😊