text: Well, handshakes are typical. Men and women shake hands with men and women; there are no gender differences. Usually people just grasp hands--there is no holding the other's elbow, or clasping two hands.\n\nYou may nod heads with someone you know as an acquaintance, for example, someone you recognize at work but do not have much contact with. This guesture may be accompanied with a greeting like, "Hi!" or "Hey!"\n\nBack-patting from what I've seen is done only between men who know each other and often is a fatherly gesture.\n\nI never see bowing.\n\nIn my experience, hugging usually only occurs with family members or good friends.