Meeting Etiquette

Greetings are very important in Ethiopia. It is expected that people acknowledge one another courteously, even if they do not speak the same language. It is rude to rush through a greeting or pass by someone without acknowledging them, even briefly. Greet the eldest people first out of respect. It is common to shake hands to greet strangers, using the right hand or both hands. Make eye contact during a handshake. However, this should be the only assertive aspect of the interaction. People generally hold one another’s hands quite lightly.

Men often greet other men that are close friends by pulling one another into an embrace (whilst still shaking hands) and using their other hand to rub the person’s back. Close friends often kiss one another on the cheek around three times. If it has been a long time since people have met, they may even kiss four or five times and embrace for longer. Some Muslims may prefer not to embrace members of the opposite gender unless they are a close family member. Therefore, men should wait until a woman extends her hand first before extending his own hand for a handshake.

The elderly are greeted with significant respect. Some may kiss their hands to greet them, while others may give a small bow or lower their head. The elderly often kiss children on the forehead, and may receive a kiss on their knee or leg in return. Use people’s titles to address them until invited to move on to a casual basis. Common titles include ‘Ato’ (Mr), ‘Woizerit’ (Miss) and ‘Woizero’ (Mrs).