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In Portugal we greet people by kissing both cheeks (do not put your lips on other person cheek, simple touch other person cheek with your own cheek and make the sound of a kiss) this is both for people you know as for people you are just meeting.

Men do not kiss each other, except if its family - (ex. father-son, nephew-uncle).

Hand shake is adequate only between men. In Boy-Girl or Girl-Girl greetings, kiss in both cheeks is the adequate manner, using hand shake in this situations would be seen as odd and disrespectful.

A hug usually follow the kiss. Don't forget that Portuguese people are very touchy.

In Formal situations hand shake should be used. Kissing in both cheeks can be used in formal situations if you have a friendship bond or know very well the other person.

Regarding wording, the most common greeting is:

Olá. (Hello, formal/informal)

Tudo bem? (literally "Everything fine?" correct translation "How are you?")

Instead of Olá (Hello) you can use Oi (Hi).

Its not uncommon to use the period of the day as a greeting followed by "tudo bem?" form. For example:

Bons dias or Bom dia. (Good day/morning)

Boas tardes or Boa tarde. (Good afternoon)

Boas noites or Boa noite. (Good evening)

Example:

Boas tardes.

Tudo bem?

As for goodbyes it is used both cheek kiss and the wording:

Adeus (Goodbye, formal)

Xau or Tchau (Bye, informal - more often used)

Até logo (see you latter - used if you will see the person again latter on that day)

Até breve (see you soon - not very common)

Até já (see you just now- used when you are meeting that person again on the same day within a short period of time, minutes or a few hours)

Then a hug. The international hand goodbye gesture is also used after you said goodbye to the person and are distant but look back at the person.

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15y ago

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