WHEN YOU FIRST MEET SOMEONE, DO YOU ALWAYS SHAKE HANDS?

When meeting someone for the first time, greetings play a key role in making a good first impression. One common way to greet someone is by shaking hands. A handshake is polite and formal, often used in professional settings or when meeting someone new. However, not everyone greets with a handshake. In some cultures, people might bow, hug, or even simply say hello. This lesson explores different ways to greet someone when meeting for the first time, focusing on the handshake and its alternatives.

GRAMMAR

1. Present Simple for Habits and Routines

Use the present simple tense to talk about general habits or repeated actions.
- Example: "I usually shake hands when I meet someone new."
- Example: "He doesn’t always shake hands."

2. Questions with "Do" and "Does"

Use do or does to ask about habits.
- Example: "Do you shake hands when you meet someone new?"
- Example: "Does she prefer a handshake or a hug?"

3. Adverbs of Frequency

Words like always, usually, sometimes, and never describe how often an action happens.
- Example: "I always shake hands at work."
- Example: "They never greet with a handshake."

4. Negative Sentences with "Don’t" and "Doesn’t"

Use don’t and doesn’t to make negative sentences.
- Example: "I don’t shake hands if I feel nervous."
- Example: "She doesn’t greet strangers with a handshake."

VOCABULARY

Handshake: A greeting where two people grasp each other's right hands and move them up and down.
Example: "A firm handshake shows confidence."
First impression: The opinion someone forms about you when they meet you for the first time.
Example: "Your first impression is important in job interviews."
Bow: To bend your body forward as a greeting, common in some cultures like Japan.
Example: "In Japan, people bow instead of shaking hands."
Hug: To put your arms around someone to greet them or show affection.
Example: "Close friends often greet with a hug."
Polite: Showing good manners and respect to others.
Example: "Shaking hands is a polite way to greet someone."
Greeting: A way of saying hello.
Example: "There are many types of greetings around the world."
Confidence: The feeling of being sure of yourself.
Example: "A firm handshake can show confidence."
Cultural: Related to the traditions and customs of a group of people.
Example: "Greetings vary depending on cultural norms."
Custom: A traditional practice in a society.
Example: "In some cultures, a bow is the custom for greeting."
Introduce: To tell someone your name or help others meet.
Example: "When you introduce yourself, always smile."

USEFUL EXPRESSIONS

"Nice to meet you!"
"Do you usually shake hands when you meet someone?"
"It’s great to finally meet you in person."
"How do you usually greet new people?"
"In my country, we shake hands when we meet someone."
"I prefer to wave hello instead of shaking hands."
"Let me introduce myself. My name is..."
"What’s the common greeting in your culture?"
"Do you feel comfortable shaking hands?"
"It’s polite to smile when you greet someone."

SENTENCES

Positive Sentences

I always shake hands when I meet new people.
She introduces herself with a warm smile.
They prefer a handshake in formal meetings.
We greet each other with a handshake at work.
He gives a firm handshake to show confidence.

Negative Sentences

I don’t shake hands if I am sick.
She doesn’t feel comfortable shaking hands with strangers.
They don’t always greet with a handshake.
We don’t use a handshake in informal situations.
He doesn’t know how to give a proper handshake.

Questions

Do you shake hands when you meet someone new?
Does she greet people with a hug or a handshake?
What is the most common way to greet someone in your country?
Do they always use handshakes in formal meetings?
How do you usually greet your friends?

Answers

Yes, I always shake hands when I meet someone.
No, she prefers to wave hello.
In my country, we usually greet with a handshake.
Yes, they do. A handshake is the standard greeting.
I greet my friends with a smile and a hug.

CONVERSATION

Emma: Hi! Nice to meet you. Do you usually shake hands when you meet someone?
Tom: Yes, I do, especially in formal situations. How about you?
Emma: It depends. Sometimes I just wave hello or smile.
Tom: That’s nice too. But a handshake feels polite, especially at work.
Emma: True. In some cultures, people even bow instead of shaking hands.
Tom: Interesting! It’s amazing how greetings differ around the world.

READING

"Meeting Someone New"

When David meets someone for the first time, he always shakes their hand. He believes that a firm handshake makes a good first impression. One day, David met a new coworker from Japan. Instead of shaking hands, his coworker bowed. David smiled and bowed back. Later, he learned that bowing is a common greeting in Japan.

David also noticed that some of his friends prefer different greetings. His best friend Sarah always gives him a hug, while his cousin Mark likes to wave hello from a distance. David realized that greetings are not only about culture but also about personal preferences.

Now, David always asks himself, "How should I greet this person?" before meeting someone new.

Questions and Answers

Q: What does David do when he meets someone for the first time?
A: He always shakes their hand.
Q: How does David greet his coworker from Japan?
A: He bows because his coworker bows.
Q: What does Sarah prefer as a greeting?
A: She prefers to give a hug.
Q: What does Mark like to do when greeting?
A: He likes to wave hello from a distance.
Q: What question does David ask himself before meeting someone new?
A: He asks, "How should I greet this person?"