How do people greet each other around the world

People greet one another in all sorts of manners, and it completely depends on the relationship between the two individuals. But here are some customs that are common within certain countries that if you are traveling to you might want to be aware of.

The Netherlands

greeting (dutch): hoi (very informal), hallo (informal), goedendag (formal)

women - women: women kiss women on the cheeks
women - men: Women and men kiss each other on the cheeks too and/or hand shake
men- men: men only shake hands with other men

kissing is near the cheek three times, starting with the left cheek and alternating cheeks

Brazil

greeting (portuguese): oi, boas, olá or alô (informal); bom dia or bons dias (good morning, used before noon or before the noon meal); boa tarde or boas tardes (good afternoon); boa noite or boas noites (good evening and good night).

women - women: kiss on the cheeks
women - men: Women and men kiss each other on the cheeks too and/or hand shake
men - men: men only shake hands with other men

Japan

greeting (japanese): ohayoou gozaimasu (o-ha-yo (go-zai-mass); good morning), konnichi wa (kong-nee-chee-wa; daytime or afternoon), konbanwa (kong-ban-wa; evening)

The japanese always bow, there are three types of bows, informal, formal and very formal.
Informal bows: made at about a 15 degree angle
Formal bows: made at about a 30 degree angle
Very formal bows: made at an even deeper angle

Egypt

greeting (arabic): Mar-ha-ban (Hello), sabahou el kheir (good morning), pronounced masaou el kheir (good evening)

women - women: women kiss women on the cheeks
women - men: will never kiss unless they are closely related (fathers and daughters, sisters and brothers, etc.)
men - men: they shake hands ,but may kiss on the cheek is close friends or related to one another

Portugal

greeting (portuguese): hoi (very informal), hallo (informal), goedendag (formal)

women - women: kiss twice, beginning with our right cheek
women - men: kiss twice, beginning with our right cheek
men - men: shake hands or hug if friends, men only kiss eachother when they are father and son

South Korea

greeting (korean): ahn nyeong ha se yo (formal greeting), nyeong (informal greeting, also goodbye)

women - women: women will bow to one another, no handshakes
women - men: women usually nod slightly and will usually not shake hands with men
men - men: bow slightly and shake hands to greet each other

South Africa

greeting (afrikaans): haai (hello)

women - women: shake hands or hugs and kisses if family and close friends.
women - men: shake hands, some women may just give a nod of acknowledgment. Hugs and kisses if family and close friends.
men - men: shake hands or hugs and kisses if family and close friends.

Mexico

greeting (spanish): hola (hello, formal), alo, qué onda (hello, informal), buenos días ("good morning")

women - women: pat each other on the right forearm or shoulder or kiss on the cheek
women - men: men will wait for women to initiate a handshake, or if close will kiss on the cheek
men - men: shake hands

United Kingdom

greeting (english): hello (formal), hi (informal), hey (informal)

women - women: women may just verbally greet one another, or kiss or hug one another if close
women - men: men will wait for women to initiate a handshake, or if close will kiss on the cheek or hug
men - men: they shake hands, or hug if close friends or family