Typical greeting customs and handshake rules in Ukraine
Typical greeting customs in Ukraine involve a warm, firm handshake with direct eye contact and often repeating your name. This handshake is common both among men and women during initial meetings, and it is polite to remove gloves before shaking hands. Among close friends and family, women may greet by kissing on the cheek three times, alternating cheeks, while close male friends might hug or pat each other on the back.
In formal situations, Ukrainians use full names including patronymics when addressing each other. Greetings are time-specific and include phrases like “Добрий день” (Good day), “Доброго ранку” (Good morning), and “Добрий вечір” (Good evening). Informally, friends and peers commonly use “Привіт” (Hi). There is a clear distinction between formal and informal greetings, with formal greetings reserved for elders, officials, or professional settings, and informal ones used among friends and younger people.
Physical contact beyond the handshake is generally reserved for close relationships, and hugging or kissing upon first meetings is not typical. Ukrainians also value polite gestures such as removing shoes when entering homes and bringing a small gift when invited. Greeting also may include religious phrases like “Слава Ісусу Христу!” (Glory to Jesus Christ) in some regions, especially in Western Ukraine.
Summary of handshake rules and greeting customs:
- Firm handshake with direct eye contact, no gloves during handshake.
- Formal greeting uses full names and patronymics.
- Close friends may exchange kisses on cheeks or hugs.
- Verbal greetings vary by time of day and formality.
- Avoid hugs or kisses on first meetings.
- Polite to bring small gifts when visiting and remove shoes at home.
These customs reflect the importance Ukrainians place on respect, warmth, and proper social etiquette in greetings. 3, 4, 5, 6, 9