The way we greet —

To extend a respect to others has always been a part and parcel of every culture. In other words, it is an essential etiquette, every one is supposed to observe. Otherwise also, it’s a gesture helpful in putting a man into social bond. This gesture of salutation is observed in different manners in accord to the customs, religion and culture of various various races. In the Western world ( and in other societies influenced by Western culture,) hand shake or saying of Hi, Hello or waving a hand as a good gesture of greeting is in vogue. In Bodhist culture, folding both hands and half bow body posture is the acceptable format of greeting.

In Hindu culture different kinds of posture are assumed as per the demand of the occasion. This demand may be of the age group, social status, religious standing and relationship between the parties. Here also, the formal tradition of extending the greeting by folding both hands is prominent. But to parents, teachers and parents and some respectable kin the tradition of “touching the feet” is often observed. An another fact of predominance of caste system too can not be ignored in Hindus.

Not long ago, in certain parts of India, a Brahman whether he be an elder or young, he was paid an obeisance by other casts’s  people who were in downward hierarchy of the caste system. And it was considered presumptuous on the part of Brahman, if he didn’t shower the blessings in reply to that. Still, this custom prevails in hinterland of some provinces of India.

The custom of greeting is confined not between men to men only. In some races and culture, to greet the Nature exists widely. This tradition is greatly observed in Hindu civilization. A traditional Hindu, whenever occasions to visit some ancient river with mythological description (still running or not existent, but traces of it are claimed to exist at some spot,) he by virtue of his Sanskaras is bound to pay an obeisance (homage) to that river as a living goddess. Specifically, sacred rivers Gange, Yamuna, saravati, Narmada etc. Such rivers are pious to Hindus and every religious Hindu pay an obeisance  reverently to these rivers.

Not only this, he seeks blessings in his prayer to them. Likely to this, various water ponds, wells of religious importance are reverent to him. Another example of water source worshiping is sea shore of “Rameshvaram” in the Southern India. Apart from it, the Peepal tree is of great importance to Hindus underneath that, various rituals of his life pertaining to life and death are observed. In the same way, every person from a different sect, creed and religion happen to visit his particular holy place to greet  Almighty god of his own faith.

Here, some proscription may be imposed upon upon the followers of some religion. In Islam, a Muslim is supposed to bow before his “Allah” only and not before any other entity living or dead. Here, he bows down only when praying the Allah in Sajda. In Hindus, an element of liberalism is often observed for reverence to gods of other religions. A Hindu easily can pay reverence  to the holy places and gods belonging to other religions. He often bows his head before a Mosque, Church, Gurudwara or Boudhist Pagoda. In our India, Majaars ( shrines of Muslims) are generally crowded by Hindus’ people.

Now we shift back to individual and social system of greeting. Prior to going ahead,it becomes essential to know the basic element of greeting. What kind of sense a greeting conveys? The basic element of greeting is to convey the feelings of respect to some one, a person is extending greetings to as per the demand of the occasion. If a person greets another man with lack of feelings, it carries no weight in this gesture. But it is often noticed in good number of cases, we happen to greet mechanically without having an atom of reverence for that person.

A common instance is of school going children. When they enter the class room and roar collectively facing the teacher, ” good morning teacher.” It’s simply the observance of a common practice, they are taught to practice. You peep inside their mind, it was only a formal gesture to them. May a few students among them foster the real feelings of reverence. The same thing occurs when youngers of a locality extend a salutation to elders of the same locality. They just exhibit a gesture only, for they are supposed to do that, that’s all. If this gesture is not displayed, they may earn a bad name as insolent, they are feared of that.

Likely to this, we often show this gesture to people of some holding or standing in the society. Mere intention in displaying in this gesture of salutation may have an expectation of being benefited from that “person of position” in near future. On some occasions, one is forced by social norms to pay respect to a person he disliked most from the core of his heart. Here, this fellow is paying respect by touching the feet externally but inside his heart cursing by applying most abusive epithets.

The greeting carries a social weight, there is unanimous opinion about this. It is a means of common acquaintances.  Sometimes it occurs, if you are  in habit to greet some one regularly, though he doesn’t know you personally, but it helps your person get commit to his memory. An another aspect of this kind of greeting comes up, at a day, you are mired in a trouble publically and you are all alone there. By chance, that person happens to pass across the same troubled spot. A near probability is, he can be helpful  to pull you out of that troubled spot.

Our fore fathers had not introduced this social moorings without purpose. It is a leading factor of social binding. When we happen to greet someone, he advertently or inadvertently is bound to respond that. Now look into another aspect of greeting. Today, you as a young fellow paying respect to elders. In near future, you too  are bound to become an elder as an old generation. Thus in reward, the young generation too will greet you. Along with, this gesture of greeting helps enhance your social circle. When you look at a person from a distance and by raising hand you wave at him, this pleases that person, ” Oh my gosh! At least one person in this crowd recognizes and greets me!”

In the same scenario, think of a social system where no one greets to any one. Every one is passing across by raising his head in the sky. What kind of outcome you can expect from this behaviour. How you will initiate a chat without greeting? To me, this situation looks analogous to an unruly social system. The salient feature of greeting is, it succeeds to generate an “inexpressive soft feeling” in the  heart of the person, you greet. What so ever minute it may be is another aspect.

We all use to greet our acquaintances without considering the psychological aspect of it. In fact, it’s a “social tool,” that is used by all. Some people realizes its significance and they convert it into a liaison and attain success out of the box. We name their success as “sycophancy” in jealousy. The custom of greeting is an effective tool of social harmony. Trust upon it. It always going to become advantageous and agreeable to every one. Don’t let your ego come across this efficient gesture. Penned by– Vinay Pharasi —–