Canadians usually shake hands when they meet for the first time and may shake hands at goodbyes as well. It is consideredextremelyrude and offensive to not shake hands with someone when they extend their hand to you in Canada. Only if someone has done something horrible to you or you want to show hatred for someone, can you not shake hands with someone in Canada. Shaking hands in Canada can also be a gesture of peace after fighting with someone.
Does your culture have a habit of shaking hands with people?
A.
In America, hand-shaking is reserved for a business setting or if you meet someone for the first time. Socially, depending on where you are, people hug or kiss to greet each other. In most western states of America, friends and family will hug each other. In the eastern and southern states of America, people will kiss on the cheeks to greet each other. In the South, sometimes parents will even kiss young children on the lips. Hand-shaking in America shows that you do not know the person very well and it should be respected when meeting people for the first time and in business.