The response to this greeting is “wa ‘alaykum as-salaam,” which essentially means “and also with you. " If you are in an Arabic country, this is a good default greeting whether you know the religious beliefs of the person you’re greeting or not. Outside Arabic countries, however, you may want to use a different greeting if you know the person you’re greeting is not Muslim.
“Ahlan wa sahlan” is the more formal version of “ahlan. " Use this with people older than you or in a position of authority. The response to “ahlan” is “ahlan bik” (if you are male) or “ahlan biki” (if you are female). If someone says “ahlan” to you first, remember to adjust your response depending on whether they are male or female.
For example, if you’re sitting at a café and a friend passes and says “ahlan,” you might reply “marhaba,” to indicate that they can come and sit with you for a chat.
In the morning, say “sabaahul khayr” (good morning). In the afternoon, say “masaa al-khayr” (good afternoon). In the evening, say “masaa al-khayr” (good evening).
If you’re speaking to a man, ask “kayfa haalak?” He will likely respond “ana bekhair, shukran!” (which essentially means “I’m fine, thanks!” If you’re speaking to a woman, ask “kayfa haalik?” The response is typically the same as it would be for a man. If the other person asks you how you’re doing first, respond “ana bekhair, shukran!” and then follow up with “wa ant?” (if the person is a man) or “wa anti?” (if the person is a woman. These phrases essentially mean “and you?”
If you and the person you’ve greeted don’t have any other languages in common and you want to attempt to continue speaking in Arabic, you might let them know that you only know a little Arabic. Say “na’am, qaliilan,” to indicate that you only speak a little Arabic. If you don’t understand what the person is saying, you might say “laa afham” (I don’t understand).
“Al-ma’dirah”: Excuse me (if you’re asking someone to move) “Aasif”: Sorry “Miin faadliikaa”: Please “Shukran”: Thank you “Al’afw”: Reply to “thank you”
Stand away from the woman as you greet her. If she is willing to shake your hand, she will extend her hand to you. Don’t automatically extend your hand first. If she clasps her hands together or places her right hand over her heart, that is an indication that she isn’t willing to shake hands but is nonetheless pleased to meet you.
Always shake with your right hand, never your left. The left hand is considered unclean in Arab culture.
Because men and women who aren’t related to each other typically don’t touch each other when greeting, this gesture is a way to signify your attachment to the person you’re greeting without hugging or kissing them. [12] X Research source
These gestures are typically never appropriate with someone of a different gender unless you are related to them and have a very close relationship. Even then, many Arabs would not consider such a greeting appropriate in public.
For example, if your Qatari friend introduces you to his grandmother, you might kiss her on the forehead when greeting her.
