Greetings
Author
Nina Evason,
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- The common greeting in Cyprus involves a handshake and a smile. This is appropriate when meeting someone for the first time. Men are generally expected to extend their hands to women first.
- Close friends often greet each other with an embrace and a kiss on the cheek. This is more common between a man and a woman, or two women. Men generally prefer to slap or pat one another’s arm or back a few times.
- Some Turkish Cypriots may lower their gaze out of respect. Meanwhile, devout Muslims may prefer not to touch people of the opposite gender.
- Elders are approached first and treated with more respect during greetings. Turkish Cypriots may kiss them on their right hand and then lift the hand towards their forehead.
- The verbal greeting among Greek Cypriots is “Yiasoo†(Hello), whilst the Turkish greeting is “Merhaba†or “Salam†(Hello). English greetings are also common throughout Cyprus.
- When addressing strangers, elders or people in formal settings, it is polite to use their title and last name. The Greek titles for ‘Mr’ and ‘Mrs’ are ‘Kyrie’ and ‘Kyria’.
- For Turkish Cypriots, the formal address is to use their first name followed by “Bey†for men and “Hanim†for women. For example, “Yusuf Bey†and “Elif Hanimâ€. They may also informally refer to elders as “Abi†or “Abla†(older brother/older sister).
- It is usually harder to end a conversation with a Cypriot than it is to start one. Farewells are typically prolonged as they have a tendency to restart conversation whilst saying goodbyes.