Handshakes, Hugs, and the Language of Masculinity
Cultural Greetings: A Fascinating Intersection of Tradition, Personality, and Social Norms
As I saw him walking towards me, my mind raced with questions. Should I offer a hug, risking it being too personal? Or opt for a handshake, potentially coming across as too formal in this casual setting? My past awkward greetings with acquaintances, particularly male ones, has led me to overthink these types of interactions. Sometimes, navigating these greetings feels like a perplexing dance, a delicate balance between masculinity and cultural norms.
From quick side hugs to aggressive handshakes, each greeting seems to convey more about our personalities than we realize. It’s a confusing maze of cultural cues and masculine expectations, leaving me wondering about these momentary acknowledgements.
With close male friends, the rules are clear to me—we hug. It’s a gesture of familiarity and friendship, a way to express affection without words. But with acquaintances in undefined settings, like social gatherings, it’s a different story. The uncertainty of whether to offer a handshake or a hug makes greetings feel like a gamble.
In my childhood home, I was familiar with a completely different type of greeting—Namaste. In Indian culture, Namaste is a respectful greeting. One typically presses their palms together, places their hands in front of their chest, and bows. It’s a gesture of reverence and warmth, yet it maintains a respectful distance.
However, being born and raised in the US, I tended to prioritize the common American greetings: handshakes and hugs. Handshakes are often used in professional settings to convey respect and friendliness while also maintaining a level of formality. Hugs are often used in casual settings, conveying a sense of friendship and comfortability.
Yet, as an adult, I find that handshakes often feel like a default choice when greeting another man, even in casual settings. It is a way to maintain a safe distance dictated by societal expectations of masculinity. However, with women, even if there’s no close relationship, hugs seem to be more common and don’t convey the same sense of distance.
Greetings vary across cultures too, reflecting cultural practices and individual personality traits. In South Korea, bows are a common way to greet loved ones, while in European and Latin American cultures, physical affection like cheek kisses is the norm.
The diversity of greeting gestures has shown me that that there is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to meeting new people. When cultures collide, greetings become a fascinating intersection of tradition, personality, and social norms. Finding balance requires navigating these differences with respect and understanding.
In terms of masculinity, greetings serve as a means to convey our personalities and desired relationships. A confident embrace through a hug can break down barriers and foster closer friendships more rapidly, while a formal handshake may be preferred in certain situations to maintain respectful distance. Ultimately, it’s ideal to approach each interaction with openness and acceptance, regardless of the form the physical greeting takes.
I’m curious to hear your thoughts on navigating greetings. Share your comments below!
