LangMedia

The handshake is the traditional Slovak greeting, regardless of age, gender, or relationship. The woman extends the hand first to the man, whereas an older person extends it to a younger person. A kiss on each cheek may accompany the handshake between friends of opposite gender or two women. Verbal greetings differ in formality; “dobrý den” is the formal greeting; “ahoj” and "cau” are informal, including the plural forms “ahojte” and “caute” in addressing more than one person. “Nazdar” is a slang adopted from Czech and is least formal. “Dovidenia” is a formal parting; “ahoj,” “cau,” and “maj sa,” are used as informal partings.