Greetings
Author
Nina Evason,
All research and editorial content is developed and curated by Mosaica. Read about our process.
- Greetings are typically informal in social settings, and it is appropriate to match the other person’s style and tempo.
- First names are commonly used during initial introductions or soon afterwards.
- When meeting someone for the first time, a polite handshake or simple verbal greeting (e.g. “Hey, good to see you”) is appropriate.
- A handshake is the customary greeting between strangers, and a firm grip with steady eye contact is generally interpreted as a sign of confidence. Canadians may laugh lightly during these exchanges to ease tension and reduce formality, establishing a friendly atmosphere.
- Among French Canadians, greetings may include a light kiss on both cheeks, typically beginning on the left.
- Greetings among close friends tend to be more informal and physically expressive. Clasped handshakes may transition into hugs, and hugs and back slaps are common ways to greet someone you know well.
- Younger urban Canadians (men in particular) frequently adopt United States-style gestures such as fist bumps and “daps”, reflecting broader North American social trends. A “dap up” is a stylised handshake involving a sequence of movements, such as a palm slap, finger clasp, or fist pound. These coordinated hand-slapping, finger-locking, or fist-bumping routines originate in Black and military cultures and are commonly used among friends in casual settings. They may be used with peers, teammates, close coworkers, or after small victories to show solidarity or congratulations. Such gestures are rarely used with strangers, older adults, or in formal situations.
- Physical contact during greetings varies according to individual comfort levels and cultural influences. If you prefer not to be touched, a clear smile, wave, or nod is an acceptable alternative.
- Many Canadians adopted non-contact greetings during the COVID pandemic, such as light knuckle taps, elbow bumps, or waves, and some have continued those habits.