Greetings
Author
Nina Evason,
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- It is important to stand up to greet someone. To greet whilst sitting implies a lack of interest in the person and disrespect.
- The common greeting is a handshake among acquaintances.
- Among friends, Bosniaks and Bosnian Croats may give one another a light kiss on each cheek. Bosnian Serbs tend to kiss three times, alternating cheeks.
- Young people may greet elders by kissing their hand.
- If greeting multiple people, address the oldest person first and so on.
- The common verbal greeting in Bosnia is “Zdravo” (Hello).
- Muslims may greet one another by saying “Merhaba” (Welcome, I greet you as a friend) or “Selam-alejkum” (Peace be with you).
- Bosnians greet one another with the question “Kako si?” (How are you?). The common response is to say, “to thank God, very well” and return the question.