GREETING

                                                                        Greeting

Different countries have many different races of people, different customs, and different manners. Each country has its own way of greeting people.

           When you meet a friend in an English speaking country, you say “Hi”, or “How are you?”In Thailand, you say “Sawaddee”. In Myanmar, you usually say either “where are you going?” Quite strange, right?

In Myanmar, they don’t have an informal phrase or expression to be used as a greeting. The famous phrase “Mingalar Bar” is quite formal and nobody use it in the streets. It is only used in formal announcements on the airplanes! And it is not really Burmese. The expression was invented during the colonial period; a rather indirect translation of “Good morning”, “Good afternoon”, “Good evening”, or “Good day”. The closest literal meaning of “Mingalar Bar” is “have good things unto you”.

 

Mingalar is auspicious, and Mingalar bar  is a kind of wish. But we do not use it in everyday life, except at school greeting to teachers, and to use in formal situation, like greeting to an audience at the conference.

So next time you meet a Burmese friend in the streets of Yangon, ask “where are you going?” instead. And remember; don’t ask this question to a stranger. This is only for friends.

          In Thailand people do not normally say 'good morning', 'good afternoon', 'good evening' or 'good night'. They greet each other with the word Sawadee, and instead of shaking hands, they put their palms together in a prayer-like gesture and bow slightly. It is customary for the younger or lower in status to begin the greeting. When taking leave, the same word and procedure is repeated. 

This gesture is called a Wai. If you are greeted with a Wai you should reply with the same gesture, though it is not necessary to return a Wai to a child. Think of a Wai as you would a handshake. Initiate a Wai because of sincere pleasure at an introduction. You will not cause offence if you Wai inappropriately in Thailand, but you may create confusion. Don't return a Wai from waiting staff, drivers or other help. You might hope to strike a blow for equality, but will in fact cause embarrassment. A Wai to your teacher (any kind of teacher) is definitely appropriate; any smiles you receive in return are of appreciation.

 

         The Shan (Tai) people are greeted with a Wai as the same gesture like Thai people.  Instead of shaking hands, the Shan usually greet with a "wai", or placing the palms together in front of the face or chest and say “Mai Sung Kha”.  

 

 But they have a different word  when they greet each other, like; Thai people say “Sawadee” and Shan people say “Mai Sung”. To make it more polite or formal both of them add one word at the end of the phrase. For men Thai add Khrap and add Kha for women. That means that when woman greets to other, she says Sawadee kha. And a Man would say Sawadee khrap. For Shan people they add Kha both men and women. Women say “Mai Sung Kha” and man would also say the same “Mai Sung Kha.

       In the USA it is normal for men to shake hands when they meet but it is unusual for men to kiss when they greet each other.

 

       The British often do no more than say “hello” when they see friends. Even adults usually shake hands only when they meet for the first time.

     French people, including school-children, shake hands with their friends, or kiss them on cheeks; each time they meet and they leave. That’s why French people think the British are unfriendly and impolite.

  In Japan it is polite and normal for men and women to bow when they greet someone.