Men greeting Men – If you don’t know each other, a handshake is common. Good friends and family members usually give each other a hug.

Women greeting Women – If you don’t know each other, a handshake is common. Good friends and family members usually give each other a hug. 

Greetings between Men & Women – If it is a man greeting a woman, they will usually refrain from hugging except if it is somebody they really know well over many years.  A handshake is common in many situations and sometimes a nod of acknowledgment will suffice. 

Note: Sometimes people will greet you, take your hand in a hand shake and hold it against their chest.  This is a sign of friendship and respect.