7. The Smile and Nod
Get your nod on in a few countries where greetings aren’t saying much without them. Over in Panama, shaking hands may work with work colleagues, but up that a notch with a nod and embrace when greeting friends. In Taiwan it’s a little different, as first-time meetings are met with a nod. A nod and handshake is a typical greeting in Indonesia, and in Fiji, cancel the nod altogether in favor of a smile and raised eyebrows.
8. Look Deeply Into My Eyes
It may seem like Russians are trying to crush your knuckles when they shake your hand, and as long as you return the shake with as much gusto and direct eye contact, you’ll fit right in. Many countries follow the firm handshake and direct eye contact rule—though maybe not as knuckle-bending. These include: Canada, Ireland, Switzerland, Norway, Austria, Denmark, Finland, and Sweden. Lighten it up a tad when you’re in The Netherlands or Luxembourg though, but don’t forget to keep that eye contact going.
9. Can’t Touch This
In Saudi Arabia and the Gulf States (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and United Arab Emirates), don’t make the mistake of shaking a woman’s hand if you’re a man, or vice versa. It’s just not done. If you’re in Pakistan, it’s cool to shake hands or hug close friends, but touching a woman in public as a form of greeting is a major no-no. This is the same in India, where men aren’t supposed to talk to or touch a woman in public. Instead, place your palms together and bow in greeting. In Malaysia it’s uncommon for men and women to shake hands, though men do it all the time.
