10 GreetingsⅡ

Let me introduce myself. My name is Ben. I was on a business trip in New Zealand. At the airport, I watched families greet each other. Some shook hands. Some hugged and kissed. Some were happy.Some were serious.

One man arrived from a trip.He looked like a businessman. He wore a dark suit and he carried a leather briefcase. Another man was there to greet him. They did not shake hands or hug. They pressed their noses together. I was surprised, but this greeting looked very natural for the two men.

The traveler and his friend were Maori. When two Maori people greet each other, they press one nose against the other nose. They call this gesture a hongi. When two people press noses they share the same breath. This unites them. The hongi means friendship and respect. Some people of Alaska and Canada also press their noses together to greet each other.