In Argentina, you say hello. And when you leave you say goodbye. It’s rude not to do so.
That’s generally true in Latino cultures. And not so much in the U.S. culture. Here you can slip in and out of a gathering without saying anything to anyone. Only your closest friends will notice something out of place.
In Latino cultures, you shake hands, hug, or greet with a type of kiss.* Here in the States you can get away with a smile, a nod, or a wave of the hand.
I’ve been back in the States for 16 years now. Still can’t get readjusted to our lack of greetings. It’s easy to see why many cultures see us as “cold.”
Do me a favor. Come say hi. Say goodbye. It means a lot to me. And it just might to somebody else.
photo from Unsplash.com
We have inadvertently taught some of our friends own the States how important it is to us that they ‘wave us gone’. In the Netherlands, people stand at the door and wave at you when you leave until you are out of sight. We always felt hurt when we were back on furlough and people would say goodbye at the door and shut the door. It felt like getting the door slammed in your face. Thankfully, we know it is not so, and some friends have picked up our habit even in the States.