Meeting & Greeting

Greetings are often exchanged between people of the same sex, although when interacting with middle-class individuals, greetings may cross gender boundaries. Males exchange handshakes. They might both shake hands and give hugs once a relationship has been established. Typically, women will hug and kiss. When meeting someone, Pakistanis take their time and enquire about their health, family, and professional accomplishments.

It is normally advised to ask a mutual acquaintance to introduce you because it is considered impolite to introduce yourself to strangers. The "formal" register of Urdu is used while conversing with strangers, and utilizing the more informal register is considered extremely impolite. When greeting one another, people of different sexes do not shake hands.

When shaking hands, it's sometimes customary for men to place their left hand on their heart. Men and women commonly perform the "adab" gesture when greeting one another in metropolitan Sindh and other parts of the nation by lowering their heads and lifting one hand to their forehead. It is usual to stand up while being presented to elders or strangers when seated as a mark of respect. Asking someone how they want to be addressed is a good idea.