The handshake

[Boudica]

Thats awesome, I never knew that about the handshake.. My greeting ritual is just me awkwardly smiling and waving my hand.. lol..

[la bombe]

Here when we meet a girl, we give her two kisses, no matter if it´s the first time or if she is an old friend. I´ve noticed this is different with the most of european countries, personal and embarrasing experience

It's the same in the US. I always get incredibly awkward when people from other countries do the cheek kiss thing. I definitely prefer a handshake.

[TheCelt]

double post

[TheCelt]

New person/stranger: Handshake.
Male friend/male relative: Handshake and a manly embrace.
Female stranger: A gentle handshake, perhaps a kiss if instigated by the female.
Female friend/female relative: A hug and a kiss on the cheek.

same here

I make the opposite mistake from limp handshakes. My grip could crush bones.

hmm, wonder how it would go if we shook hands since i have the same effect.. an explosion of some sort perhaps.

[Winterwolf]

A handshake is standard in Germany for introduction an greeting people, which aren't that close to you and it's considered to be rude to refuse it.
When I was in the US I had to learn that a handshake isn't standard over there for greeting each other. I thought the people don't like me, before I realised it's just not that much common.

For male good friends you can give a manly hug and/or some pats on the shoulder.

For female good friends one can give a slight kiss on each cheek. That makes 2 kisses in Germany, but it can lead to confusion when Frenchies are within the round, because they usually give 3 kisses and they always look confused and a little bit embarrassed, when a German stops after 2 kisses.
The kisses aren't common in all of Germany, the more north you go, the less common it is, in the south it's rather common to exchange slight kisses.
(Anyway never do that with unknown females, for it would be considered intrusive, the kissing is reserved for good friends.)

[Lucretius]

well in my country is a custom to shake hands both men and women,usually,if not forced i'd preferred to avoid it for hygienic reasons,it's much better the roman salute

[LouisFerdinand]

[Grab the Gauge]

You know the handshake is cool... BUT THE FIST-ASS RULES.

[Lucas]

lol