Greeting People in Different Countries
In the business world, if you do not make a good first impression, you may not get another chance. According to an article in Psychology Today, people will make judgments about you in as little as 20 seconds, based upon their first impression. So knowing how to greet a person in a confident and friendly manner is extremely important. By using these simple strategies, you will be able to get off to a good start. Face-to-Face Greeting Standing up and coming out from behind a desk to greet someone is a good strategy because it gives the impression that you have enough respect for the person to greet them eye-to-eye. Remaining behind a desk puts you in an authoritative position (not equal to the newcomer), which could be perceived as unfriendly or disrespectful. Friendly, Confident Facial Features Making an effort to display a genuine smile and look the newcomer in the eye shows that you are friendly and confident. According to Psychology Today, others are very good at reading your facial expressions (and making judgments based upon them). Introduction and Handshake When you introduce yourself, you should say your first and last name, as in, " Hello, I'm Joan Smith." This is more formal than just giving your first name and is appropriate for a first-time greeting. The handshake also gives an important impression of you and must be done properly. Either party may extend their hand first, and you should grip firmly, but without undo strength. (Remember, it is not a contest.) The handshake only needs to last about 3 to 4 seconds. Our planet is divided into many different countries which have many different races of people, different customs, and different manners. Each country has its own way of greeting people. In the USA it is normal for men to shake hands when they meet but it is unusual for men to kiss when they greet each other. The British often do no more than say “hello” when they see friends. Even adults usually shake hands only when they meet for the first time. French people, including school-children, shake hands with their friends, or kiss them on both cheeks, each time they meet and they leave. That’s why French people think the British are unfriendly and impolite. In Japan it is polite and normal for men and women to bow when they greet someone. In Polynesia you take your friend’s hands and use them to stroke your face. In Tibet it is very polite to stick your tongue out at someone. It shows you have no evil thoughts. From http: //www.ehow.com/way
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