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Sep 25, 07, 19:43 #1
Often times when you visit a foreign country, you are concerned about how to greet people in that it varies from location to location. Do I give a handshake, do I give a kiss, if a kiss, how many is acceptable? In addition to greetings, understanding the forms of communication is important as well. Answers to those questions, as well as some tips to understanding communication will be answered in this article as I am going to draw attention to the rules of Polish body language.
Shaking Hands
It is extremely common in Poland , likewise in other countries, to shake hands when meeting someone. In Poland, shaking hands is usually followed with the standard greeting which is dzien dobry (Good morning) - formal or czesc (hello) - informal. Handshakes in Poland are also very popular in formal situations. For example, during a job interview, it is customary to see the applicant extend his/her shake to the interviewer.
Kissing Hands
As conservative as it may sound, hand kissing in Poland is very common as well. When you are a foreign woman, do not be surprised when older Polish men will bow slightly to kiss your hand. As embarrassing as it might appear, for someone who is unfamiliar with this type of gesture, this kind of greeting is a sign of respect. I am sure that other cultures would take kissing hands as offensive, but Polish women are accustomed to this to the point where they might feel offended if men did not follow this old tradition. Hand kissing is also common in situations when a man dances with a woman. This kind of hand kissing is usually taken as a “Thank you for the dance” type of thing.
Kissing Cheeks
Polish tradition has it customary to kiss a person (usually family member) three times on alternate cheeks. Regardless of if the family member is a man or woman, it is still observed. It usually occurs after not seeing someone for a long period of time. Be prepared to see a line of family members waiting to greet you in this way.
Gestures during Conversation
Polish people are very expressive when it comes to leading a conversation. They will often lean forward, stand up or even touch your arm to get their point across. Sometimes by making these gestures they show you that they want your attention or agreement.
Volume during Conversation
It is not only in terms of gestures that Polish people are outwardly expressive. If you ever had a chance to watch Polish people speak, you probably wondered why they were arguing. Or maybe while speaking to a Polish person you felt offended by his or her vocal disagreement with you. Do not worry. It is normal during a conversation for Polish people to be vocal and expressive, as they like to be heard.
In conclusion, the above are only some of the ways body language is used in Poland. Hopefully by reading about some of these customs, you will be better suited when you visit Poland, or in dealing with Polish people outside of the country.
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