Putting forward positivity
I believe that meeting a person should always be a pleasant thing, which enables us to spread happiness and also is an extension of your personality and even expresses your nature towards a fellow human being. Even when a person has a different upbringing or cultural barrier, extending a welcome greeting is always comfortable to both parties. Irrespective of one’s traditions or cultural attachments, greetings must be extended to any person so that he or she feels comfortable and welcome, at any place. Though there are different methods adopted in different countries and cultures as greeting gestures, you don’t need to worry about such aspects when in a multicultural community. There are standardised greetings to which one can stick with, without hurting or insulting somebody.
People feel very comfortable when a warm greeting is extended, and it becomes easier to communicate after a genuine welcome. If a smile is attached along with it, then it will create an easy atmosphere to discuss and solve any issue, always.
From Ms Laxmi Menon
UAE
Circumstantial greetings
I find manners as such giving proper greetings are mainly commonsense, decency and respect for a person’s culture and religion. For example, commonsense and culture could allow me to meet a French woman and kiss lightly on both cheeks, but meeting someone from a conservative background would normally dictate at most a soft touch handshake or no physical contact whatsoever.
My rule is to err on the side of the conservative. Manners are easy, free and logical. If you have been fixing a car, you would not shake hands with an oily hand, obviously. I think conservative respect is the safe path to follow and keep well away from hearty back-slapping and when in doubt about touching a woman, don’t! In both Arabia and East Africa, hugging is allowed with men and in Uganda, it is allowed with a woman as well if you know the person.
The British army issued sound advice 100 years ago: no public affection – that advice is safe and sound and sure not to offend. A smile and a happy verbal greeting can never go wrong.
From Mr Keith Lupton
Dubai
Follow country traditions
Well, a greeting is not merely a social tradition, but it leads to religious values as well, especially in this part of the world. So it depends whom you are greeting or meeting. We have to be careful, especially when we greet others of the opposite gender, otherwise we or others may face embarrassing situations. Instead of pleasing, it’s more appropriate to follow local values of the country.
From Mr Ahmad Eftekhar
Sharjah
Identity in your greeting
You always need to stick to your own traditions! I think it is important to because that way you are showing who you are.
From Mr Tom Thounaojam
Medog County, Papua New Guinea
Adapt and be open
Over the years, the UAE has become a global hub, where people from diverse cultural backgrounds and traditions have permanently settled or visit for business and leisure purposes. It is imperative for professionals and corporate executives living in the UAE to remain on a par with cultural differences, so they can accommodate visiting delegates in the most hospitable manner. Furthermore, meeting and greeting defines a business and other relationships because people feel welcome if the other person, from another culture, respects their beliefs and traditions. Although it is a challenge to adapt to another culture however, we can create an environment where all cultures propagate with peace and blend with harmony. We should not raise eyebrows at other traditions, but should accept the viewpoint of those who follow them. After all, we are all part of the same global village, which this world has become.
From Mr Omar Iftikhar
Karachi, Pakistan
A personal choice
The UAE is a multicultural country. People from different countries are living here, so we see many different cultures and traditions. When I meet somebody, I am always confused as to whether I should greet the stranger or just stay quiet. Shall I follow my tradition or try to guess where the person is from and greet them in their own traditional way? In my opinion, greetings are not related with the culture, tradition or country. It is the way we present ourselves in front of others. It is a good characteristic of a good human being. So greet people in a way that makes you good and makes you feel good.
From Ms Archana Sen
Abu Dhabi
Respect and experience
There is an old saying: “Be a Roman in Rome”. In my opinion, we should adapt to the environment in which we are in at the moment to savour the flavours and feel the different culture which, in my opinion, will enlighten us as an individual. Besides having travelled to many different destinations only to meet people and experience traditions, cultures, hospitality and foods, I feel that one should respect traditions and continue to do so. When we are out and about, then I guess the best way to feel and experience is to adapt to that culture and tradition.
From Mr Ramaprasad M.S.
Dubai
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