Contents

pp vii-ix

Acknowledgements

pp x-x

To the reader

pp xi-xii

Introduction

pp 1-4

Gestures & Signals

pp 5-6

Take a bow: bending at the neck or waist

pp 7-17

Hi, Hitler! arm salutes at various angles

pp 18-25

Do a nose job: rubbing and sniffing as a greeting

pp 26-29

XXXX! the heartfelt kiss

pp 30-49

Flashy hello: the eyebrow flash

pp 50-53

Getting the shakes: the story of the handshake

pp 54-70

Slaps, daps, thumps and bumps: not so gripping handshakes

pp 71-74

I dips me lid: the hat as a courtesy tool

pp 75-82

Hello? Hell, no! greeting refusals

pp 83-85

Waves of emotion: greeting from a distance

pp 86-92

Customs & Behaviours

pp 93-94

No hug for Dr Livingstone: a demonstration of restraint

pp 95-96

It hurts to say goodbye: the Parthian shot

pp 97-98

How stiff can your upper lip get? avoiding strangers

pp 99-104

Chinese whispers: greeting and parting rituals in China

pp 105-113

From Russia with love: sit on your case and say goodbye

pp 114-115

Cut it out! how to avoid saying ‘hello’

pp 116-119

I don't speak to my mother-in-law: avoidance language

pp 120-123

Phonethics: telephone mannerisms

pp 124-127

Thanks for having me on! names and forms of address in the media

pp 128-130

Eskimodesty: greeting and visiting in the Arctic

pp 131-136

Names & Addresses

pp 137-138

What's so good about it? the curious nature of ‘good-’ greetings

pp 139-144

Ahoy, ahoy! Pick up the phone! ‘hello’ and its uses

pp 145-149