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?
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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.
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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.
very interesting!
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