Meeting and Greeting Etiquette

There is a formal etiquette for greetings that is frequently depending on the person's age and cultural background. The western custom of shaking hands with everyone may have been embraced by younger people or those who work for multinational corporations, but older or more reticent Singaporeans have not. Chinese people shake hands. Although the handshake itself can be lengthy, their hold is relatively gentle.

Men and women are allowed to shake hands, but the lady must reach out first. The order of introductions is always based on status or age. Male ethnic Malays shake hands with one another. Since Muslim men do not touch women in public, men and women do not usually shake hands.

Younger Malaysians may shake hands with foreign women, but a "salaam" (bowing of the head) welcome is more appropriate. When two women first meet, they should also say this greeting.Indians of ethnicity shake hands with people of the same sex. Nodding the head and smiling are typically enough when meeting someone of the other sex. The old or the person with the most status is introduced first, just like with the other groups.