Men greeting Men – A handshake with the right hand is the most common form of greeting. Handshakes are often combined with a snap on the release for those who are friends. Handshakes tend to linger a bit.
Women greeting Women - It usually depends on relationship, but a handshake with the right hand is the most common form of greeting for formal and business situations. If friends, they’ll probably just do a verbal greeting and ff they haven’t seen each other in a while they may hug.
Greetings between Men and Women - A formal verbal greeting or a handshake with the right hand is the most common form of greeting for formal and business situations. Men and women typically do not touch each other in public, even if they are married.
Note: Togo has 37 ethnic tribes, and greetings may differ greatly between them. Each local language has a standard dialogue of greetings that must be said out of respect (usually 6-8 questions and responses). When greeting someone in power like a chief everyone will get down on a knee and say the greeting together while the chief gives the standard answers.
If shaking hands it is respectful to place your left hand around the wrist of your right hand while shaking. You always use your right hand to shake. If your right hand is occupied when you need to shake you offer your right wrist, never your left hand.
