English Learning Community and Resources

While listening to Winnie’s mobility experience in Episode 4 of the OLS podcast, “Intercultural Obstacles,”  I was reminded of my own experience of moving to a new country and learning the greeting customs. 

My first few years in France were spent figuring out ways how to respectfully decline “la bise”, the French custom to greet by kissing on alternate cheeks between two to four times (depending on the region.) I will admit, there were a lot of awkward moments in the beginning! Hahaha!

A warm smile and handshake are usually my go-to greeting in most situations, but a hug might be called for if something more elaborate than a nice, “Hi, how ya doing?” doesn’t fit the bill – particularly in friendly and informal situations. But, I don’t just hug everyone! Hugs are more reserved for people I know and like well.

But I’m in France! So, what could I do? I had to figure out a solution. Building relationships and learning the various elements that make up the vast and intricate cultures in France is crucial to establishing a new life, so it was very important to me to find ways to both stay true to my level of comfort AND also not be offensive to my potential new friends. 

Let’s just say, that after six years and a global pandemic, there are no more awkward moments and I’ve adapted well!

But what About Greeting Customs in Anglophone Countries?

Though I’m American, I know that the way we greet each other in the same country can vary widely depending on so many factors from our age, our ethnicities, our regions, and even the neighborhoods we grow up in. So that got me wondering about greeting customs from other Anglophone countries. 

From the outside looking in, many people think that the standard “Hello” with a handshake is the expected greeting in the English-speaking world, but that’s not true in all situations! Join us on a fascinating tour of greetings from all around the anglophone world and why knowing how we greet people in formal situations can differ vastly within the same country. 

JAMAICA

Source: istockphoto

Jamaicans speak Jamaican Patois and English. 

When you’re in Jamaica, you will find that there are many types of greetings that are lively, warm, and joyful. Keep in mind that formal and informal greetings can differ widely and variations on greetings are often based on social status or the age difference between younger and older people. 

While “Hello” is definitely said in Jamaica, you will also hear the actual word, “Greetings” as an alternative. “Greetings” is considered a formal and professional way to say "Hello." 

Manners are also held in high esteem in Jamaica, so if you’re walking past someone or entering a shop, depending on the time of day, you will be met with (and expected to say back), Good morning (good mawnin’ in Jamaican Patois). 

Other greetings that you will hear are, “One Love”, “Hail up” and “Blessings.”  

IRELAND

The Irish speak Gaeilig (Irish) and English

Recently at the Cork Airport, I saw a lot of joyful and boisterous hellos and hugs on display as is often the case in airports when long-awaited friends and family see each other again after a long absence.

“Hello, Hi, You’re alright?” are just some of the ways I’ve been warmly greeted during my many travels throughout Ireland. Often, a cup of tea is offered when entering someone’s home along with a tasty pastry or biscuit. Invitations to a cup of tea can be heard among colleagues in a professional setting too. 

Depending on the different parts of Ireland, the following greetings may be heard: 

“How’s she cuttin’?” “How ya?” “How’s the form?” Interestingly, “How’s she cuttin’ originates from the conditions of the turf – the material used to heat homes.  

HAWAI'I

English and Hawai’ian are spoken in Hawai’i.

While Hawai’i is indeed a part of the United States, the Hawai’ian language is still very much in use and flourishing thanks to its strong Polynesian roots and heritage. 

“Aloha” is the greeting for Hello, but the word itself means love and is an expression of good wishes for the life of the person being greeted.

You’ll also see physical greetings such as the “honi ihu” which is the touching of one’s nose to the other person’s and both inhaling at the same time. This greeting is an exchange of breath and life force and is done to show the close relationship of honor, respect, and love between the two people.

Another physical greeting of welcome that you may see is the placing of lei around the neck of someone. The lei is often a necklace made of real flowers but other precious materials can be used also, like shells and berries. 

BOTSWANA

Many languages are spoken in Botswana in which English is one.

One of the quickest ways to offend in Botswana is by not greeting a person but still proceeding with a question or requiring the assistance of the person you slighted. To avoid this, it is the general custom to say Hello in the language of SeTswana, the other official language of Botswana. To a woman say, Dumêla mma. To a man, say, Dumêla rra. To a group, Dumêlang. 

The handshake in Botswana is like a beautiful dance between two people’s hands. First step is to know that the right hand is used. The next step is, the left hand supports the right elbow. Then, the right hand, while clasping the other person’s, goes up, the thumbs of each person’s rises, touches; and then the right hands descend before separating. Here’s a short video to show the movements. Video.