How do you greet people?

[Mr. DS]

Andrews "rules of the road" topic got me thinking of the many ways people greet each other.  Yeah its a broad subject but I'm interested in what people do in different parts of the States not to mention the world.  

Personally, I find myself doing a few different things.

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

If I don't see the person every day and they fit into the above category, I shake hands.  If it is a friend I haven't seen in a long, long time I'd be apt to hug them if they are female.  Maybe a kiss on the cheek.  Male friends may get a hug if I was really good friends with them.

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.

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

Strangers
Generally 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?

[LilCerberus]

Mostly with "Howdy, there!", only pronounced "Ahddy, (Z)'ere"

[HappyGilmore]

Generally, a lot of people get a "Hey, how're you sir (or, if female, ma'am)?".  Even if they're like, ten years old, I still say "sir".  I wasn't brought up to call anyone sir.  Just sort of how I turned out.  I dunno.

I'm not one for physical contact, so I don't even shake hands, let alone hug.  Which, apparently, is something I'm told a lot of women like when in relationships.

[Trevor]

I once got into serious sh*t for taking one of the prop rifles we have in our vaults here and greeting some of the new security staff with a cheery "Yo, wazzup, muthaf****s!" and aiming the rifle.  

I must just add that the rifles are real .303 calibre weapons, they are as heavy as anything and they just cannot be cocked and fired.

[Trevor]

I'm trying to do the chip up thing but end up doing kind of a half @ssed bow with my head.  

Sorry DS but that made me laugh. 

[Jack]

I usually don't greet my family - they're right in the same house with me.  My wife might get a little tickle if I can sneak up on her.  With neighbors, they get a "hi" or "hello" and a little wave.  On the off-chance I can remember their name, it might be "Hi Jeff".  I try not to be so friendly that it would encourage them to start a conversation with me.  Neighbors love to do that stuff but I do my utmost to avoid it.  If I'm being introduced to someone, I give them a firm handshake and say their name.  I'm terrible with names so I figure that if I say it, there's a 1% better chance I might remember it.  Mom and Dad always get a big hug.  Relatives do not get kisses, and I don't give hugs unless it's absolutely unavoidable.

[Newt]

I'm painfully shy by nature and not very social.  A bit of a hermit in fact.  So kissing is out and I am not much of a hugger; though I can (and do) imagine myself being so very pleased to meet certain people on here that I would spontaneously give them a big hug.  Others it just would not feel right - even though I'd be just as pleased to meet.

I usually make eye contact, smile, nod and say "Hello" when introduced.  Sometimes a firm handshake and a bigger smile (and a "Pleased to meet you!").  It depends.

I do wave at drivers who pass me as I am riding my horse out on the road.  I like to acknowlege their courtesy/good driving manners.  I also will wave at vehicles passing if I am out by the road - most are neighbours.  In town, I will smile and give a little wave if someone I know sees me.  Strangers get a small smile if we make eye contact for any reason.  And sometimes even a few words of chit-chat! 

[Mr. DS]

I'm not sure why but I dislike shaking hands with women.  It just doesn't feel right when I do it.  

Side note, I'd love a hug Newt.  But I'd also give Trevor a hug so don't get jealous.

[Andrew]

Everything from an enthusiastic "Hi!" to a nod. 

[Trevor]

Side note, I'd love a hug Newt.  But I'd also give Trevor a hug so don't get jealous.

[trekgeezer]

Living in the southern US, it's quite normal to little wave, a nod, or a How are you?  to perfect strangers.   People at work that I'm fond of usually get a hardy handshake or a hand on the shoulder.  That's probably how I would greet most folks here (males anyway), but I would save that hug for Newt, she's cooler than cold watermelon on a hot summers day. 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).

We're friends here , I know this because we get in tiffs here  and call each other out on stupid things we say, and that's what friendship is all about.

[Doggett]

I'm a hugger, folks!

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

[Rev. Powell]

How do I greet people?

Usually with "Out of my way, you idiot!"

[Doggett]

How do I greet people?

Usually with "Out of my way, you idiot!"

Someone drives a car...

[BoyScoutKevin]

With a handshake. Not a hug.

But my boss, where I use to work, until I retired, was a hugger. Not my immediate boss, but the big boss over all the employees was a hugger. And when you went to shake her hand, she'd say: "You know I'm a hugger." And then she give you biggest hug. And my reaction was "Eeewww!!!" But how do you tell your boss, who can make or break your career, not to hug you.