ENGLISH'S TOPICS OF SEMESTER 1

ENGLISH'S TOPICS OF SEMESTER 1

1. GREETING

Greeting is an act of communication in which human beings (as well as other animals) intentionally make their presence known to each other, to show attention to, and to suggest a type of relationship or social status between individuals or groups of people coming in contact with each other. While greeting customs are highly culture- and situation-specific and may change within a culture depending on social status and relationship, they exist in all known human cultures. Greetings can be expressed both audibly and physically, and often involve a combination of the two. This topic excludes military and ceremonial salutes but includes rituals other than gestures.

Greeting gestures

A greeting can consist of an exchange of formal expression, a simple kiss, a hand shake or a hug. The form of greeting is determined by social etiquette, as well as by the relationship of the people.

Beyond the formal greeting, which may involve a verbal acknowledgment and sometimes a hand shake, facial expression, gestures, body language and eye contact can all signal what type of greeting is expected. Gestures are the most obvious signal, for instance greeting someone with open arms is generally a sign that a hug is expected.However, crossing arms can be interpreted as a sign of hostility. Facial expression, body language and eye contact reflect emotions and interest level. A frown, slouching and lowered eye contact suggests disinterest, while smiling and an exuberant attitude is a sign of welcome.

Other greeting gestures

Waving
Bowing
Cheek kissing
Eskimo kissing
Fist pound, in which two individuals touch fists
High-five
Pressing noses
Handshake
Hand-kissing
Hat raising or tipping
Hug
Kowtow
Mano (gesture)
Roman salute - which has become associated with fascist and other right-wing movements
Sampeah
Tehniyat
Waving, the gesture of moving one's hand back and forth
Wai

(High-five)