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17 feb 2016

Pregunta de Inglés (US)

What greeting customs freak out American people?

We, Asians freak out on cheek kissing in France, Italy, maybe Spain from what I know. And I know French people freak out when you hug them. Is there such greetings that makes American people freak out?
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AnyaAzrael
17 feb 2016

  • Inglés (US)

Nothing really that I know of, although if you're meeting someone for the first time you shouldn't kiss them on the cheeks. After you are familiar, anything can okay, depending on your relationship.

jimpjorps
17 feb 2016

  • Inglés (US)

When Americans greet a stranger, there is generally very little body contact. In a business situation, we'll shake hands; in a casual situation, we might just wave or nod. It would be very awkward to kiss or hug a stranger.

Hugs are more acceptable among friends and family members. Kisses are reserved for very close people (a married couple, a grandmother and her granddaughter, etc.)

Of course, there are exceptions. Certain groups, like Italian-Americans, find greeting kisses more acceptable. People from the Midwest (the states around the Great Lakes) tend to be more reserved, and might not ever hug or kiss anyone in public.

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MizzyKola
17 feb 2016

  • Inglés (US)

Too add to jimpjorps.
Usually when meeting someone new we shake hands. We usually will say, "it's nice too meet you" or "it's a pleasure to meet you".

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BSpalding
17 feb 2016

  • Inglés (US)

I agree that little or no body contact is good. It's even fairly acceptable to even say, "Sorry, I don't shake hands" as long as it's said in a friendly way.

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pleiades
17 feb 2016

  • Inglés (US)

The only thing that really weirds me out is oversharing of information when you first meet someone. Like, for example, I had someone come up to me once, state their name, and immediately unload their entire life story onto me. Needless to say, that was one interesting experience I won't be forgetting anytime soon. f^~^')

Usuario eliminado
17 feb 2016

Ahaha, he must have just read one of those life empowering books.

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MizzyKola
17 feb 2016

  • Inglés (US)

@pleiades: for some reason it's easier to tell strangers about your life. This happens a lot with customer service workers. Suddenly they know about a persons whole life. xD

alkhal
18 feb 2016

  • Inglés (US)

It definitely depends on the person and place. I live in New York, and people seem to be comfortable with most greetings. I hug or kiss all of my friends. When meeting strangers I usually shake their hands, or see what seems right for the situation - possibly a hug or kiss on the cheek. :)

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