How do you greet people?

[Newt]

DS, Trev, Trek and Doggett: rest assured; you all made my hug list ages ago.   

[Mr. DS]

I'm a hugger, folks!

Whether you want it or not, you're getting hugged !

Doggett, you'll be happy to know you're on my warm embrace list.  No grabbing my buttocks though.

[Allhallowsday]

...
Friends And Coworkers
1.) Hey
2.) How you doin (kind of unitentionally Sopranos-ish from what people tell me), Whats Going On or Whats up

Yeh, that's about right; I have a bunch of customized greetings, like a theme song or a nickname, for close friends... I also say "Hey now!" a lot, imitating one friend of mine.  I do enjoy being friendly, helpful and considerate.  But only at the supermarket. 

... Maybe a kiss on the cheek...

Yes, but lots of women turn their lips to me, y'know these older ladies with bright red greezee lipstick... 

Family
I'm a hug guy when it comes to my brother and father.   All other folks, inlaws or blood relation, get a handshake usually.  I usually kiss all the ladies.

My brother doesn't care for physical contact, so I grab him and hug him anyway.    I don't like spreading germs or pawing people, but I'm a hugger. 

People I Don't Know Well
I'm a habitial head nodder in this category.  I'm trying to do the chip up thing but end up doing kind of a half @ssed bow with my head.  I kind of hate when I do it but its a natural reaction

I say hello to everyone I know, even people I don't like; I'm so foolish about not snubbing a person that I'll walk up to some ass I don't like and greet them.  That doesn't mean that I don't avoid people if possible.  However, I can't not say hello to someone I know.  Except that guy with the rug.

StrangersGenerally I'll ignore.  Maybe the head nod.
There are certain people on this board male and female I'd hug if I'd meet.  Then there are some that I wouldn't feel right hugging, they'd probably get a handshake.  How bout you?

C'mere, lemme give you a big smelly man hug.  I might be able to fart if you'd like me to try. 

[Mr. DS]

C'mere, lemme give you a big smelly man hug.  I might be able to fart if you'd like me to try. 

You too have made the hug list with Doggett...see above rules for buttocks grabbing.

[Trevor]

C'mere, lemme give you a big smelly man hug.  I might be able to fart if you'd like me to try. 

+ 

[Trevor]

The two guys I would lay hugs on are Trevor and RC, two people I really would like to meet in person  (you know I really like you if I give you action figures).

Captain Kirk and Mr Spock are currently standing on my bureau in my office, Trek: we'll be moving back to our refurbished building in November (thankfully) and they will be the first inhabitants in my new office. 

[Joe the Destroyer]

Usually "Howzitgoin'" or "Howyadoin'". 

When departing, it's "Take it easy."

[3mnkids]

Usually, hey.    I will hug my kids and my husband but that's it. When I do get with other family they will hug and I hug too but get it over really quickly. Im not a touchy feeling kinda person. It makes me extremely uncomfortable.

[Paquita]

Strangers: I usually just smile and stand as far back as possible to avoid the grabby ones and getting into conversations.
Family: Smile and stand as far back as possible to avoid being ordered to do something
Friends: An enthusiastic something, maybe a hug depending on the situation, like if someone recently died, or something great recently happened.
Hubby gets a kiss and a super awesome high-kick to the face/back if I can catch him by surprise.
I've never been a touchy feely person and it makes me really uncomfortable when certain friends or family members that I'm not really close to insist on kisses and awkwardly long hugs.

I would probably hug lots of you guys!  I'm not a hug initiator but I will respond well to one from someone I like.

[Silverlady]

  Meeting new people for the first time I usually respond with a "Hi" or "Hello" and stand a short distance away.  Not much of a hand shaker either. 

With family, depends on who it is. My kids will get warm squeezing hugs ... grandkids (will be a total of 6 in September)  warm hugs and kisses for all.  And tickles for the boys  ... and with the girls,  I like to gently stroke their hair.

Hug and kiss for my brother and his family, and the same for my hubby Bill's sisters and their families.

Hubby Bill always gets a kiss and a "Hi honey". 

Old friends I see occasionally get hugs.

No present co-workers at the moment (not working - out on disability). Old co-workers from past jobs I see occasionally (who I was close to) get hugs.  Others a "Hi" and how have you been?

With you guys, I'd be kind of shy ...  BUT  real glad to meet you and maybe give you a hug.   

[Ash]

I've always been an extrovert and meeting new people is fun for me.  My mother told me that I would walk up to anyone when I was a little boy and talk to them.  It was frustrating for her because she had to keep a constant eye on me.

Hosting huge Airsoft events has been great for meeting new people.  There are anywhere from 20-30 new people at every event I host and I make it a point to walk up to each and every one of them.
At each event I always make sure to walk up to a newcomer, extend my hand for them to shake, look them directly in the eyes and say, "Hi!  I'm Ash.  What's your name?" (I also use Ash as my callsign in the world of Airsoft)  It makes them feel at ease because they see that I am an easygoing and friendly guy.  I always make sure to never shake their hands too hard.  My handshakes are always firm.  There's nothing worse than some guy who squeezes your hand in a death grip.

I also talk to random strangers wherever I go.  It doesn't matter who they are or how old they are...I'll strike up a conversation or make small talk with almost anyone.

[Newt]

I've always been an extrovert and meeting new people is fun for me.  My mother told me that I would walk up to anyone when I was a little boy and talk to them.  It was frustrating for her because she had to keep a constant eye on me.

  At Kindergarten age, my son used to walk up to older (say, 8-y-o) blondes and say, "I have a pony".  I have tried to keep an eye on him ever since.   

[AndyC]

I'm kind of a shy and reserved person, and not always a good judge of social situations when I'm in them. I tend not to be too outgoing, especially if I want to make a good impression, which actually leads some people to find me stern and unfriendly, and I've given more than one extrovert the idea that I disliked them. Fortunately, my wife is just the opposite, so she can do the talking and explain me if necessary. I will admit that some of my social interactions are consciously affected, so as to give people the responses they expect.

Formal greetings are a handshake and a "hello" or "hi there."

Informal is usually a nod and "g'day." That would be the Canadian "g'day" as opposed to the Australian "g'day." Slightly different sound. The Canandian version tends to emphasize "day" while the Australian seems to place the emphasis on the "g." The Canadian "g'day" is also generally shorter and more clipped. Think MacKenzie Brothers, rather than Paul Hogan. I also occasionally use the North Woolwich Mennonite "g'day" when talking to old friends. That one is harder to pin down, but much more fun to say. Kind of "gaw-DAY" and more drawn out.

Being slightly OCDish, I don't enjoy shaking hands. I kiss my wife, daughter and dog (on the head), and that's it. Those three are the only kisses I like. Hugs are likewise reserved for family only, and only given gladly to wife, daughter and dog. For anyone else, I'm indulging their need to hug, and they know it. It's become a running joke with some of my more touchy-feely in-laws.

And yet, people who know me well say I'm a kind, caring, sensitive and ethical person. And some of the most despicable people I've encountered were totally charming and at ease socially. I don't put much value on first impressions.

[BTM]

I'm a hugger, folks!

Whether you want it or not, you're getting hugged !

I used to be that way too, but then the ladies starting threatening sexual harassment, and the men started threatening to beat me up.

(Or was that the other way around?)

[BTM]

  At Kindergarten age, my son used to walk up to older (say, 8-y-o) blondes and say, "I have a pony".  I have tried to keep an eye on him ever since.   

Just out of curiosity, does your family really have a pony?  Either way, that's an awesome pick up line!