Greetings
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- It is considered polite to acknowledge people promptly upon seeing them, meeting their gaze with a smile and direct eye contact. This practice is particularly important in rural areas of South Africa, where it's customary to greet everyone you pass by. Failing to acknowledge someone or otherwise ignoring them may be viewed as disrespectful.
- A handshake accompanied by a smile is the most common greeting in South Africa, especially when meeting someone for the first time. This gesture is generally appropriate among most South Africans. There is no specific cultural norm for how light or firm the grip should be.
- South Africans from rural areas may use two hands to shake/greet.
- Some men may wait for women to extend their hand first.
- It's common for friends or close acquaintances to greet each other with a hug.
- People may exchange kisses, mostly on the lips, when greeting someone special to them or someone they haven't seen for some time.
- It is important not to rush through greetings. South Africans usually like to take the time to exchange pleasantries and engage in social discussion after greetings. It is appreciated to ask about someone’s health.
- The formality and style of interactions often vary depending on location. For example, slang greetings tend to be more common in urban areas of South Africa.
- People in rural communities often follow more traditional customs, while those living in urban areas tend to adopt more cosmopolitan behaviours. For example, strangers may barely acknowledge each other in large cities.
- Acquaintances should be addressed formally by their title (Mr., Mrs., Ms., etc.) and last name until they have signalled that it is appropriate to move on to a first-name basis. See Addressing Others in Naming for more information.