The Importance of a Greeting
Are Americans too busy to
greet each other these days? What happened to genuine care for each
other and our families? Has the notion of "time is money" stripped us of
our inherent compassion for others?
Greetings are essential in
many customs throughout the world. As International travelers, whether
you're conscience of it or not, you're an ambassador of America. So when
I heard my fellow Americans raise their voices in disapproval over
President Obama bowing to the Japanese Prime Minister or the time when
he greeted Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez in Spanish, I was in
disbelief!
Finally! I thought we have a President who is neither
arrogant nor ignorant to the situation. President Obama did exactly what
he was supposed to do, acting as both an ambassador to the United
States, and as a responsible traveler.
Greeting a stranger with
warm words gives instant respect. A simple greeting turns fear into
friendliness, suspicion into trust. President Obama, as any American,
would expect the same from others who visit us, on our own soil, and in
our own traditions and customs.
Throughout Africa, greeting is an
essential custom and there is not enough time in the day to greet
people. It is considered extremely rude to not greet first before
beginning any kind of conversation. Is there any reason we can't make
time to greet others, while traveling or in our own neighborhoods?
When
entering or leaving a room, greet the people in it. Say hello, ask how
their day went. When purchasing food, goods, or merchandise, begin your
conversation with the cashier by first asking how they are doing. And
when initiating a conversation first ask how the person is doing, rather
than jumping into the business part of the conversation, in doing so,
you will calm, cool, and create a positive, constructive environment.
Are
we too arrogant and fearful of portraying our self as 'soft' if we show
a little compassion for our friends, neighbors, and strangers?
Take
this cultural custom and make something as a simple greeting a part of
your everyday life. Greet your neighbor, catch up with old friends and
ask them how their families have been. You'll feel perkier and the
community you live in, whether it's the neighborhood, country, or world,
will be a much friendlier, accepting place.
The importance of a
greeting can make a big difference for offering something so simple.
Live it at home, pack it on your travels and shed your arrogance of
feeling silly while bowing to the Japanese Prime Minister.
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