While handshakes are still a very popular way of greeting, it’s not as common in Congo. When two men meet in Congo they can great each other by simply rubbing their heads against each other side by side.
This form of greeting is only performed by men of a certain ethnic group. It is also forbidden for women to greet this way. Greeting by shaking hands is also common among the Congolese.
To show respect of social status people hold their right forearm with their left hand while shaking hands. Men often share a touching of the sides of their foreheads, first right then left.
Holding hands between people of the same gender is a sign of friendship. When two people of the opposite s3x talk there is very little to no touching.
When a man is greeting a woman it is best to wait for the woman to extend on her hand. Young people wait for older people to offer their hand.
If you are unsure how to pronounce your visitor’s name, you may ask them what they prefer – or call the adult women “Madame” or “Mama” and the adult men “Monsieur” or “Papa”.
Eye contact might be more indirect during a conversation; women and children might look down or away to show respect. It is best to avoid asking about someone’s ethnicity or making referrals to the civil war.
Congolese people have a set of gestures for pointing to and calling people. If you want to point to someone hold out the arm with the palm open and upward. It is considered very rude to point at a person with your index finger.
Calling someone to come over is done by extending the arm with the palm turned down and bringing in the fingers towards you, like a scratching motion.
People also have proper ways to give or receive things. Children learn to offer both hands when receiving an object, especially from an adult, which shows respect.
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