Quick Question: How do YOU greet your family and friends? Let me know your thoughts on the different greetings in Asia and tell me your favorite! 👀

When you meet someone your age for the first time in the Philippines, you usually say 'Hi,' wave your hand, and smile at them. If you meet them again, regardless of age, you either hug or kiss them on the cheeks, as the Italians do! And, traditionally, when greeting the elderly, you must ask for their hand, known as "pagmamano," place it over your forehead, and ask for their blessings, saying "Bless po." In the past, when I was studying at an international high school in my home country of the Philippines, I had to bow to greet my Korean elders. Because it is a predominantly Korean-owned school, we learned that it is how Koreans show respect and say hello. Since then, I've been fascinated by greetings in other cultures— I thought, this is how people show civility and respect to one another. This made me wonder how the differences in greetings between Asian countries provide information about cultural customs, or where traditional greetings change or adjust in response to modern influences. I wonder how critical it is to recognize and value diversity in interpersonal communication around the world.

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Non-verbal greeting (Bowing): This GIF shows the first common hand gesture of how some Asian countries greet each other without having any skin-to-skin contact or no words at all. This is commonly done in Korea or Japan.

Verbal greeting (Hand Gesture): This image shows a unique hand gesture of how some Asian countries greet each other with skin-to-skin contact. This is specifically called "Pagmamano" in the Philippines where you ask for the blessings of the elderly.

Non-verbal greeting (Sign Language): This image shows how some Asian countries greet each other through sign language. A great example is the way of greeting in Thailand. People say 'Sawatdii' and give a 'Wai'. It is the way people greet and show respect for one another. This is commonly done in Malaysia as well.

Intercultural greeting: This image shows how Western people can adopt from the custom greetings in Asian nations. This perfectly shows the "bowing" to show your respect, regardless of age.

Sample of modern greeting among Teenagers (Dap, Fist Bump, Personal Handshakes): This GIF shows a modern way of greeting your friends, classmates, and alike that is informal. This is usually done or can be noticed in both Western and Asian cultures.

Suhana Lamsal

Suhana stated that she occasionally interacts with people from different cultures, particularly in the American-Nepalese community. She has noticed a subtle change in greeting customs, noting that while traditional Nepalese greetings, such as the "Namaste," are enthusiastically accepted, there is also a greater willingness to accept informal nods and handshakes in Western cultures. Suhana agrees that the younger generation's greetings have been impacted by globalization, but she hopes that these days' greetings will combine local traditions with international ways, as shown by the growing acceptance of more casual greetings. Suhana still greets people in formal settings with the traditional Nepalese greetings, but she has adapted to the global trends of casual encounters by adding a smile and a handshake— which she always did in class! 

Do Hyun Kim

Do Hyun also participates in cross-cultural exchanges, frequently attending community gatherings that unite Filipino locals and Korean foreigners. He claimed to have noticed a mixture of Korean formality and warmth from Filipinos, noting that greetings in the Philippines frequently combine the traditional Korean bow with the common Filipino "Mano po" gesture. Do Hyun observes that despite the influence of global trends on more casual interactions, a conscious effort is made to maintain traditional Korean greetings like the bow, even as he acknowledges the negative effects of globalization on the younger generation. He adapts to the kind and inclusive Filipino greetings by incorporating informal greetings like the "kamusta" meaning "How are you?" or a friendly wave in social situations.

Chan Woo Park

From his experiences in the Philippines to his current residence in Kentucky, USA, Chan Woo interacts with people from different cultural backgrounds. After relocating to the Philippines, Chan Woo developed a kind and warm greeting style, frequently using the "Mano po" gesture, just like Do Hyun! Though he still values the significance of traditional Korean bows in some formal settings, Chan Woo acknowledges the impact of globalization on his greeting practices, pointing out a shift in American greeting practices toward more casual ones. He skillfully combines Korean formality with American friendliness in Kentucky, which he feels promotes understanding of different greeting customs and a feeling of cultural unity.

Sean Bryan Valentino

Sean builds connections with diverse communities by interacting with people from different cultural backgrounds, mentioning his experiences as a former classmate in the Philippines and bridging his Japanese-Filipino heritage. Combining aspects of both cultures, Sean frequently bows or nods to people, which is a Japanese custom, and adds the warmth of Filipino greetings like "Kamusta ka?" like Do Hyun. Living in Japan, Sean has observed a subtle effect of globalization in more global settings, especially, there is a growing acceptance of Western-style nods and handshakes alongside the traditional Japanese bow. Sean believes that cultural exchange is important because it promotes understanding amongst various communities.

💡 FUN FACT: Me, Chan Woo, Do Hyun and Sean were classmates in grade school through high school!

With my observations, it was amazing to find out the participants' ability to switch or combine between adhering to local traditions and following international trends through their varied greeting styles. Suhana noticed a slight change in Nepalese greetings, and Do Hyun saw a well-balanced blend of formal Korean greetings and warm Filipino greetings. Sean incorporated Japanese and Filipino customs, while Chan Woo skillfully blended American and Filipino greeting styles. These exchanges demonstrated the constantly evolving interaction between tradition and the changing global environment.

This gives an answer to my question about how greeting customs were significantly shaped by globalization. The majority of them mentioned how it affected how the younger generation in the West and in their own country greets each other.

I have discovered that all of my interviewees acknowledged and adjusted to universal trends in greetings, demonstrating a broader understanding and adaptation of varied traditions. Living in Japan, Sean observed that, in addition to the long-standing Japanese tradition of bowing, Western-style handshakes are accepted. This recognition of global trends draws attention to the way in which tradition-keeping and change-embracing coexist in a changing cultural environment.

All of the participants emphasized the value of cultural exchange in preserving and developing practices that are traditional. The interviewees acknowledged that cultural exchange, regardless of location—Nepal, the Philippines, Korea, Japan—promotes greater awareness and admiration for varied greeting customs, emphasizing the potential for such exchanges to bring people together. These results, taken together, highlight the need for a careful balancing act between tradition and modernity, adaptation to worldwide trends, and the unifying influence of cross-cultural greetings.

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