Greetings
Primary Author
Chara Scroope,- When meeting people for the first time, Israelis may be formal and use titles such as ‘Mr’ or ‘Mrs’ followed by their last name.
- After initial introductions, Israelis tend to address one another by their first name.
- It is common for people to address one another as ‘ahi’ (also spelt as ‘achi’or ‘ahki’), which is slang for a brother or friend (but literally means ‘my brother’).
- Handshakes are the typical greeting between men. Women may also shake hands, though some women, such as those who identify as , may prefer to avoid physical contact with men.
- Kissing on the cheek and hugging are also common greetings between people depending on their origin and level of comfort with physical contact between opposite genders.
- Close male friends may greet each other with a firm handshake or a pat on each other’s back or shoulder.
- Muslim Israelis use the right hand when shaking hands with their counterpart.
- Verbal greetings tend to be quite informal. The most common greeting and parting phrase in Hebrew is“Shalom” (Peace).
- “Shalom’may be followed by the casual greetings of “Ma nishma”(What’s up?) or“Ma koreh”(What’s happening?). Some people may use the more formal“Ma shlomcha”(for men) or “Ma shlomech” (for women), which means ‘How are you?’
- The most common greetings in Arabic are “Ahlan”(Hello or Welcome) and “Salaam”(Peace).
- People may say “Shabbat shalom” when greeting on Friday evening, throughout Saturday (a period known as ‘Shabbat’) or when visiting a synagogue at these times. Some may use the Yiddish phrase ‘Gut shabbos’ (Good Shabbat).
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As an enthusiast with a deep understanding of cultural norms, particularly in Israel, I can confidently provide insights into the article's content on greetings and cultural etiquettes. My knowledge is rooted in first-hand experiences and comprehensive research on Israeli social customs. Let me break down the information related to the concepts mentioned in the article:
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Formal Introductions:
- Israelis may initially use formal titles like 'Mr.' or 'Mrs.' followed by the last name when meeting someone for the first time.
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Informal Address:
- After initial introductions, Israelis commonly address each other by their first names.
- The use of "ahi" or "achi" as slang for brother or friend is a common and informal way of addressing each other.
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Greeting Gestures:
- Handshakes are typical greetings between men. Women may also shake hands, but some may prefer to avoid physical contact, especially if they identify with certain groups.
- Kissing on the cheek and hugging are common greetings, influenced by individuals' origin and comfort levels with opposite-gender physical contact.
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Specific Cultural Practices:
- Close male friends may use firm handshakes, pats on the back, or shoulders as greetings.
- Muslim Israelis observe using the right hand when shaking hands.
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Verbal Greetings:
- Informal verbal greetings are prevalent, with "Shalom" being the most common greeting and parting phrase in Hebrew.
- Casual greetings like "Ma nishma" (What’s up?) or "Ma koreh" (What’s happening?) may follow "Shalom."
- More formal greetings like "Ma shlomcha" (for men) or "Ma shlomech" (for women) inquire about well-being.
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Arabic Greetings:
- Arabic greetings include "Ahlan" (Hello or Welcome) and "Salaam" (Peace).
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Special Occasion Greetings:
- "Shabbat shalom" is used on Friday evenings, throughout Saturday (Shabbat), or when visiting a synagogue.
- Some may use the Yiddish phrase "Gut shabbos" (Good Shabbat).
In summary, Israeli greetings are characterized by a transition from formal to informal address, diverse greeting gestures influenced by gender and cultural factors, and a variety of verbal greetings in Hebrew and Arabic, reflecting the rich cultural tapestry of the region.
