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• The most common greeting is a verbal greeting followed by a handshake.
• People are expected to take the time to greet and shake hands with everyone present. For example, if you enter a room with ten people, it is expected one greets each person individually.
• It is a sign of deference and respect to support the right forearm with the left hand when shaking hands with an elder or someone of higher social status.
• Kenyans may grasp the other person’s arm at elbow level if their hand is not clean for a handshake. This is a polite courtesy.
• Men may greet other men with a handshake and a hug if they have a close friendship.
• In most social situations, it is appropriate for women to greet one another with a handshake. However, good friends and family often exchange a hug and a light kiss on the cheek.

Verbal Greetings

• Verbal greetings vary between different ethnic groups in Kenya, depending on spoken language (see Language in Core Concepts).
• The most common greeting among those who speak Swahili is “H���Ჹ������” (Hello) or the more colloquial greeting of “J��������”. Both greetings can be responded to with the phrase ��پ��Ჹ������”, which means “I am well”.
• Other common greetings in contemporary Kenya include ‘��������’ or ‘M��������’. The typical response to these greetings is “P�Dz�” – a more casual way of saying “Hello”.
• Kenyans often inquire about each other’s family and well-being during greetings.

Forms of Address

• When greeting a man, the polite address is ‘b�ɲ��Բ�’ (a combination of ‘mister’ and ‘sir’).
• ‘M�����’ (‘older man’ or ‘elder’) is used for older men – roughly 40 years or over. This term signifies respect for the person, their wisdom and experience as an elder.
• The typical form of address for women of any age is ‘m������’.
• Children are often addressed as ‘�ɲ��ٴdzٴ�’ (plural form) or ‘t�dzٴ�’ (singular form).