Greetings and Partings
The standard Urdu greeting, literally meaning "Peace be with you," is always answered with the reply "Peace ……." People accustomed to speaking English will often greet others of the same age group using the English "hi" or "hello." However, it is considered rude to use the more informal English greetings when greeting someone older than oneself. The Urdu greetings are considered the most polite and respectful form of greeting.
Handshakes are common when members of the same sex are being introduced to each other for the first time. Males and females do not shake hands with one another. Males need to be aware that attempting to shake hands with a woman is considered inappropriate. Handshakes are not used when people who already know one another meet.
When two people are introduced, the person receiving the introduction will typically initiate further conversation asking the person how they are or making some other introductory comment. The person being introduced can then reply to continue the conversation. In meetings between people who already know each other either party can initiate the conversation.
Forms of address:
Among family and in social settings people address persons older themselves with familial terms of respect regardless of whether the person is an actual relative. People who use English regularly address persons of the same generation as ones parents or older than ones parents with the English terms "auntie" and "uncle" (even when speaking in Urdu). Among people who use Urdu only, the terms for "mother's sister" and "father's brother" are used. When addressing people who are up to 15-20 years older than oneself the Urdu terms for "brother" and "older sister" are used.
When addressing males in business situations such as shops and offices, the Urdu term for "mister" is used. When one knows either the first or last name of the person one first says the name followed by "mister." When one does not know the name, the term "brother" is substituted for the name. When addressing females in business situations, a term meaning "honorable lady" is appropriate.
