in all honesty, that is the same way i was raised. Also, you are correct, there is no set way. You have to learn to be spontaneous. I believe that any normal, mature adult should be able to decipher what the appropriate or inapporiate greeting is at the time, depending on the "situation". i mean, i believe in shaking hands upon first meeting, but what if the father was in the middle of making calamari & his hands were a mess. Should i shake his sticky/slimy hand? I think in this situation, an appropriate response would be to smile, say hello & say "i would shake your hand, but...." :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: