Who should greet first?

[Somto9Light]

This may be different in some cultures, but among all my tribes culture and generally in my country, if it is very obvious that someone is older than you, like an elderly person, you supposed to greed the elderly person first. But there are some instances that the elderly person would have greeted you before you greet, that is also fine. If is not good not to greet an elderly person regardless of the person greeted you first or not greeted you first.

You just spoke what I had in mind. Greeting should be a sign of respect and courtesy, and even though it is most times believed by some race that since the elderly are older than the younger ones, the younger ones should show respect and greet the elderly first, but I feel even the elderly can also greet the younger generations, depending on the situation and who bumps into the other first. I can see someone I’m way older than, and greet them first, but in this case, I’ll expect them to return the greeting respectfully as courtesy demands.

[passwordnow]

This isn't a big deal, old or young maybe or may not be in mood to greet first. I think it depends on who's more fond of doing the greeting first. Is there a hierarchy towards this? I think we're all the same if it's outside any company and everyone is free to greet first or late or no greetings at all. Don't make it as a big deal on who's going to do it first. As an individual, if you think that you should greet someone first, do it but never expect anything at all or being greeted first. If that touches basic courtesy, someone who's got that will do it first.

[$crypto$]

It depends on your culture, whether older people should be respected or younger people shouldn't, my own culture always emphasizes respecting older people because it fosters a sense of friendliness, young people who don't greet their elders are considered impolite.
Perhaps it's different in other countries, but I believe that in many cultures, older people are more respected.

[Franklyn-wood]

It depends on your culture, whether older people should be respected or younger people shouldn't, my own culture always emphasizes respecting older people because it fosters a sense of friendliness, young people who don't greet their elders are considered impolite.
Perhaps it's different in other countries, but I believe that in many cultures, older people are more respected.

Greetings are ways of expresing politeness and respect to people mostly between blacks and Africans people and also varies in culture and region. For me I believe it is good for the younger to greet the elderly as a way of according them the rest due without asking for it, I have seen some young people who don't greet there elders and yet wants those younger to them to greet them.
Generally greeting is acceptable everywhere by all the race. Meeting someone for the first time you greet,  just that the way and application differs in culture.

[Joy- maker]

but on a general point of view I think anyone can greet first without the feeling of entitlement that the other person is meant to greet first irrespective of class and age. What's your take on this? Let's talk about it.

Next time please speak from your own point of view instead of a general point of view. You are a Nigerian, for crying out loud and in a our culture the younger ones are to greet the elderly ones first, then the elderly ones returns the greeting.

And to correct you, nobody is feeling entitled that is simply how greetings are supposed to work, whenever you see someone that is older than you, you greet him or her first, then the person will return back the greeting. I will leave you with this question, do you wait for your Mom and Dad to greet you first or you greet them first?

[DYOR+BTC]

It depends on your culture, whether older people should be respected or younger people shouldn't, my own culture always emphasizes respecting older people because it fosters a sense of friendliness, young people who don't greet their elders are considered impolite.
Perhaps it's different in other countries, but I believe that in many cultures, older people are more respected.

Yes cultural practices matters when talking about greetings. As for my own cultural believe, the elder will be the one call the attention of the junior one while the junior will then greet him traditionally, although all culture are not the same but excluding this cultural practices,  I think the first to see is supposed to greet be it senior or junior while the other responds with great respects as it is supposed to be. Most time I will say it depends on individuals involved, some are good at that while some do not practice it, but It will be advisable for all to learn it

[Somto9Light]

This isn't a big deal, old or young maybe or may not be in mood to greet first. I think it depends on who's more fond of doing the greeting first. Is there a hierarchy towards this? I think we're all the same if it's outside any company and everyone is free to greet first or late or no greetings at all. Don't make it as a big deal on who's going to do it first. As an individual, if you think that you should greet someone first, do it but never expect anything at all or being greeted first. If that touches basic courtesy, someone who's got that will do it first.

By right, it should be the young to greet the old one, but since the young ones don't know the right thing to do, its just better if anyone who likes to greet should just go ahead and do it, not minding who is young and who is old, beside outside this life, everyone is equal before the God Almighty. And that is why  one doesn't have to seen big deal about it, greet and don't get angry or expect anything in return  because life still moves on with or without greetings and this shows how mature one is.

[POPOLUV]

This topic has been pandering in my head for some time now and why I brought it up here though I don't know if such topic is already existing, in our society today most people believes that the younger ones should greet the older ones first while some believes the older ones is meant to greet first, I have received greetings from an older person first and I have also greeted an older person first but on a general point of view I think anyone can greet first without the feeling of entitlement that the other person is meant to greet first irrespective of class and age. What's your take on this? Let's talk about it.

This greeting stuff,  well will say it is basically on different tribes or culture and traditions, if not i don't see any big deal on who to greet first here, and there are tribes that value greeting more than anything and which once their young one sight the elderly one coming toward him, at the that point in time he will eventually lay down on the ground just to greet the elderly man coming, so i believe that greeting your elderly one first is not a bad idea at all because it is an atom of showing respect and also if by any chance that your elder one greet you first it is not quickly a bad idea as well but it all land or depend on culture and traditions of any given tribes within the world.

[Dunamisx]

Never stand in a position of receiving what you cannot give, respect is reciprocal, both young and old deserve to be regarded in any settings day are found, this is where we must apply the right sense of responsibility in doing the needful without being told by anyone before we move or take a step.

Ideally, children should respect their elders, but we also have to consider some customs and traditions that may warrant some little changes and adjustments in these settings, in a modern civilized world today, please entries are expected from both ends, irrespective of whether one is young or old, anyone is prone to force and make the first move to greet each other.

[Queen uloma]

For me greeting someone isn’t a competition. One thing I have understood about life is that respect doesn’t come from who  greet  first.  When a younger person greet an elder it’s a sign of respect because that’s our culture in some places. This also applies to elders, when they see a younger person isn’t a crime to greet them. Because when they do that it helps the younger person to feel free and respect them more. Feeling entitled that the other person must greet first before you do is totally wrong and that mindset create room for unnecessary misunderstanding and distance between people. Greeting is a normal thing, it’s not base on senior or anything. If everyone greet each other whenever they meet, irrespective of their age or status in the society, I think the world will be a better place.

[juttsab@]

On a general approach, the younger one I expected to show some regard to the senior citizens and greeted them first, but there are also some situations that we warrant that in a particular settings, this senior ones are expected to make the first pleasantry, not because they are not being recognized, because that is the due process required in such settings, greeting first does not mean anything down for everyone to show a sense of responsibility to regard each other and extend pleasantry without any obligation attached to it.

Greeting is not a responsibility different cultures and different religion teaches different things in most culture younger ones are forced to great the elder one's as a sign of respect and respect is always at two way Street. The most important thing is creating a friendly environment by greeting each other nicely despite their ages if everyone weights for the other one to greet first then it might be possiblity that an awkwardness can arise if you have good manners you can make other feel good you can make them feel respected whether you are younger or older if you are sitting in a gathering and someone came from outside that person is supposed to greet you first and vice versa having nice and pleasant interaction with everyone costs us nothing but creates a happy environment.