The Japanese greet each other with bowing, which also is used for showing respect, gratitude, and apologies. The bow can range from a head nod to a 45 degree or lower bow to indicate deep respect. Even the traffic crossing guards give us a bow while we pass by!
The Japanese do no like physical contact and reserve handshaking for business situations. Greeting with hugs and kisses European-style or couples holding hands are unacceptable. Any child punishment is reserved for the home, as the children seem to behave beautifully in public.
Verbal expressions range in formality with ohayoo used between friends and family and ohayoo gozimasu used for less intimate acquaintances, similarly with arigatoo and arigatoo goziamasu. For good-bye, there are several expressions depending on how long you will be separted. Sayoonara indicates that the speaker will not see the person addressed to before she "turns a page in her life"; or until the next day or until fate brings them together. We do not hear sayoonara often, as it is mainly for school children saying goodbye to their teachers for the day.
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