Meeting and Greeting Customs in Egypt

When two strangers meet and they are first introduced, they usually shake hands. When two males friends meet, a handshake is exchanged and sometimes a kiss on the cheek depending on the how strong the relationship is between these two men. However, when two female friends meet, regardless how strong their relationship is, a hug is followed by a kiss on each cheek. When a male and female friend meet, a handshake is sometimes exchanged and other times just a simple "Hello. How are you?". In such situations, men do not kiss other women unless they are husband and wife, father and daughter, brother and sister, etc...