Formal Greetings:
* "Goedemorgen" (Good morning) - Used until noon.
* "Goedemiddag" (Good afternoon) - Used from noon until evening.
* "Goedenavond" (Good evening) - Used from evening onwards.
* "Dag" (Good day) - A more neutral greeting, used throughout the day.
Informal Greetings:
* "Hoi" (Hi) - The most common informal greeting, used among friends and family.
* "Hallo" (Hello) - A slightly more formal informal greeting.
* "Hey" - Similar to "Hoi" but even more casual.
* "Hé" - Similar to "Hey," but even more informal and often used with friends or people you know well.
Other Greetings:
* "Goedendag" (Good day) - A more formal, older version of "Dag".
* "Dagmeneer/Dame" (Good day, sir/madam) - A very formal greeting, used in very formal settings.
* "Welkom" (Welcome) - Used when someone arrives at a place.
Handshake:
* A handshake is the most common greeting between people who don't know each other well. It is usually firm but not too strong.
* A handshake is also common when meeting someone for the first time, even if you know their name.
* However, handshakes are becoming less common among young people, who often use a casual greeting instead.
Kissing:
* Kissing on the cheek is common among friends and family.
* The number of kisses varies by region, but three kisses (left cheek, right cheek, left cheek) is the most common.
* It's usually done with both cheeks, but sometimes only one.
Other Cultural Notes:
* Dutch people are generally direct and straightforward in their communication, so don't be afraid to be direct in your greetings.
* It's considered polite to make eye contact when greeting someone.
* If you are unsure how to greet someone, it's always safe to err on the side of formality.
Remember, these are just general guidelines. The best way to learn how to greet Dutch people is to observe how they greet each other and to ask your friends or colleagues for guidance.