A firm handshake with eye contact and a smile is the appropriate greeting in most situations. Men should wait for a woman to extend her hand first. Women may hold each others forearms instead of shaking hands. Once people become acquainted, greetings become a lot warmer and Colombians often prefer to embrace (abrazo).

What is the female greeting?

Standard salutation When writing specifically to a female where her marital status is irrelevant and/or unknown, the author should use Madame, unless she is a child. When writing to an adult woman, one uses Madame, unless one knows the person prefers Mademoiselle.

How do you say hello in Colombian slang?

Colombian Slang Greetings Follow your Spanish textbook and you might think the only way to say hello to people in Colombia would be to say ¡Hola! ¿Cómo estás? (hello! how are you?).

How does a gentleman greet a lady?

SHAKING HANDS Gentlemen always shake hands when they are introduced to each other. Ladies rarely do so with gentlemen who are introduced to them; but they usually shake hands with other ladies, if they are standing near together. All people who know each other, unless merely passing by, shake hands when they meet.