Signs of Friendship
A welcome sign is the first friendly gesture a person gets when arriving somewhere. But not all are actual signs; different cultures have ways of welcoming people and saying hello. Here in America, the common greeting is a handshake. A firm handshake is a sign of respect. But in other countries, a handshake is impersonal, or even unknown.
The way other cultures greet a person, whether it be a total stranger or someone very familiar to them, is very interesting. In Polynesia, the customary greeting is a warm embrace followed by a few hardy pats on the back. In France, people greet each other by kissing each other on the cheek. In Chile, it is extremely important to make direct eye contact with a person. In Japan, a bow is customary. Also, in many other cultures, it is customary to stand very close to a person, unlike here where personal boundaries are respected.
A nice greeting is always a great way to make a new friend and make someone feel welcomed. So, whether it is with a sign, or a gesture, make sure you are always welcoming.
