. Greetings will follow a strict protocol often based on both the ethnic origin and age of the person.
. Younger people or those who work in multi-national companies may have adopted the western concept of shaking hands with everyone, but this is not the case with older or more reserved Singaporeans.
. Ethnic Chinese shake hands. Their grasp is rather light although the handshake itself can be rather prolonged.
. Men and women may shake hands, although the woman must extend her hand first. Introductions are always done in order of age or status.
. Between men, ethnic Malays shake hands.
. Men and women do not traditionally shake hands, since Muslim men do not touch women in public.