Appointments (punctuality or not?) Body Language (distances between people) Body Language (Eye contact) Shake Hands (Firmly/Softly; long or brief) Hand-shakes, Hugs, Kisses or Bows Attires (F: formal; I: informal or T: Traditional)
Americ​a Yes Needs space Yes Firmly and briefly Hand-shakes are common Depends (Business - F; Daily - I)
Bhutan Depends Closer than the West Not as much Firmly and briefly Hand-shakes and hugs are common Depends (Business - F; Casual - I; Festivals - T)
China Yes Closer than the West Some, but not too much Softly / longer Hand-shakes; no pointing fingers Business (F); Casual (I)
Germany Yes for all situations Needs space Yes Firmly and briefly Hand-shakes are common Generally formal for all situations
Ghana Depends (business/yes; casual/no) Depends (family/closer; business/no) Not too much Firmly & a little longer Hand-shakes/hugs are common F
Grenada Never early. "Grenadian time"; punctuality can be important Not as important Yes, eye contact shows confidence No kisses. Never hug man-to-man Common; may bow in the Catholic Church Depends; formal for church; traditional for Emancipation
India Yes A little bit distance; not too much Lots of eye contact Business/firm; casual/soft; no left hand used Hand-shakes Depends - business (F); non-business (I)
Indonesia Half an hour or an hour late is common Depends - family/close; business/distant Not too much/talking side-by-side is common Nodding heads or hand-shakes if you want to start conversation; no left hand used Do not hug opposite sex; do not use left hand to point or signal Typically Casual; Muslim community women cover up
Iran Yes (Business); Half an hour or more late (Casual) A little bit distance; closer for same sexes Not too much Depends on genders; do not initiate hand-shakes with female; no left hand used Softly/briefly (female); firm/long (male); hugs/kiss cheeks with family and same-sex friends Business (F); Casual (I)
Italy Yes Needs Space Yes Firmly and briefly Kisses are common; some handshakes More formal attire
Japan Yes for business; 5-10 minutes late for casual gatherings Needs space Not as much Either way is all right Hand-shakes, bows (to show humility) Depends (Business - F; Casual - I)
Korea Yes Closer than the West Some, but not too much Softly / longer Hand-shakes; bowing to older generation Depends - Older generation (F); Same generation (I)
Malaysia Half an hour or an hour late is common Same sex can be closer Not too much Softly / longer; no left hand used Friends and relatives kiss/no hugs Business (F); Special occasions (T); Casual (I)
Mexico Can be late for up to an hour Closer than the West Lots of eye contact Firm with man; softly with woman Hugs and kisses are common Business (F); Special occasions (T); Casual (I)
Mongolia Depends (business - very early; casual - late) Needs space Not as much Softly and longer Hand-shakes are common Depends (Business - F; Casual - I; Festivals - T)
Nepal Depends Closer than the West Not as much Firmly and briefly Hand-shakes and hugs are common Depends (Business - F; Casual - I; Festivals - T)
Nigeria Depends (Business - very early; casual - quite late) Closer than the West Yes Firmly and briefly Hand-shakes and hugs are common for meeting new people Depends (Business - F; Casual - I&T)
Peru Can be late for up to an hour Closer than the West Yes, but no eye contact with people of authority Firm with man; softly with woman Hugs and kisses are common Business (F); Special occasions (T); Casual (I)
Saudi Arabia Depends; Yes, for business A little distance; space is gender-sensitive Yes Handshakes men-to-men Men-to-men cheek "kisses". No hugs, no bows Depends; elders or government representatives will wear traditional
Vietnam Depends (business or doctors apt. - very early; casual - quite late) Needs space Not as much Softly and longer Hand-shakes are common Depends (Business - F; Casual - I; Parties or Festivals - T