Greetings Etiquette in Turkmenistan

Greetings are usually formal and respectful: a handshake is common between men, while women may prefer a nod or a hand placed over the heart unless they initiate a handshake. It is polite to greet the eldest or most senior person first, and in rural or traditional settings people may use the Arabic-derived salutation salam aleikum and ask about family and health before getting to business.