- Thread starter Acira
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DR hand shaking etiquette
I have found most ladies I meet are open to a bump, after a proper introduction to the family of course. This seems to be traditional to meet the mama, tia, sisters, pay for a few frias. I rarely give a handshake since I am yet to meet a male member of any household.
Where I live it's not that complex. I live in a predominately Dominican environment. Few tourists visit and few expats live here as compared to other areas.
I am sure you could find the "correct" answer @ the local library in a copy of Emily Post's Etiquette.
No thats right, it was Cobraboy with Door nr. 3 but please feel free to take that door to leave.
In Thailand the custom is to 'wai' accompanied with a bow. Variations are very subtle and most foreigners totally screw it up.
The attempt however is taken as a sign of respect and is generally appreciated.
To live in a place and make no concessions to local customs is arrogant.
I have a friend who was a US military liaison with the Thai government. When Lyndon Johnson visited Thailand during the Vietnam War he was briefed before his meeting with the King of Thailand and was told if he pointed his feet at the king (or any Thai for that matter) it would be a great insult.
During the meeting which was held without a table with two chairs facing each other Johnson stretched back as he unloaded his folksy Texas wisdom on the king, who speaks fluent English, and stretched out his feet directly at him.
When my friend told me about this I said "Didn't he understand the briefing?"
My friend (who participated in the briefing) said "Oh, he understood all right. He just didn't give a shyt."
Let's see, 45 posts, and already playing the doorman. Good for you.
Hey no problem. Glad to oblige, but you might want to consider being a tad more flexible in the future. You seem to be rather the rigid sort, and that type of attitude is not particularly conducive to eliciting a variety of ideas.
Again, good luck in your quest. Is a handshake in order at this juncture?
Hey no problem. Glad to oblige, but you might want to consider being a tad more flexible in the future. You seem to be rather the rigid sort, and that type of attitude is not particularly conducive to eliciting a variety of ideas.
Again, good luck in your quest. Is a handshake in order at this juncture?
I was planning on answering this one... but with only around 90 posts, and 25 years of traveling around the world...
Let's shake hands... or should we kiss...
Let's shake hands... or should we kiss...
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? bient?t
Guest
But it is the DR, and folks should get to know the meaning of certain words, and I ain't talking about Japanese-made urinals.
Between business-men: firm hand shake
Between business-women: a kiss in the cheek (just touch each other cheeks, and blow the kiss away).
Between a business-man and a business-woman: a soft handshake, like if the man is helping the lady to stand up from a chair. Later when more confident, a kiss in the cheek.
Between male pals: A fist bump with the following greetings words: Dime a ve'.
Between inter genre pals: a hug and a kiss............and maybe something else
Between business-women: a kiss in the cheek (just touch each other cheeks, and blow the kiss away).
Between a business-man and a business-woman: a soft handshake, like if the man is helping the lady to stand up from a chair. Later when more confident, a kiss in the cheek.
Between male pals: A fist bump with the following greetings words: Dime a ve'.
Between inter genre pals: a hug and a kiss............and maybe something else
The wai in Vietnam or Thailand is indeed very complicated, going from putting your hands together in front of you and going up with those hands higher and higher with a little bow or a deeper bow when a more respectfull person or older person is in front of you...not easy but like you said, the attempt is alway's deeply appreciated.
Lets not talk about the enormous varitiy of bowing in Japan then poew...:cheeky: