Greetings In Brunei: A Guide To Saying Hello

Brunei is a Muslim country, so the traditional greeting is Assalamualaikum, but most people will simply say Hi!. The Malay greeting Selamat, which means peace, is also used. In Bahasa Malaysia, the standard greeting is based on the time of day: Selamat pagi for morning, Selamat tengah hari for early afternoon, Selamat petang for late afternoon, and Selamat malam for evening.

Greeting someone in Brunei

In Brunei, men have generally adopted the western concept of a short, firm handshake when greeting each other, although older men may prefer a nod or a bow. When a woman greets another woman, a hug and a kiss or two on the cheek is appropriate if they are acquainted. Otherwise, a gentle handshake or a slight nod of acknowledgment will do. In greetings between men and women, gentle handshakes are common, although a simple nod or bow may be more appropriate, especially if the woman is religious or of a different ethnicity. It is considered respectful to bow your head to someone who is senior in age or position and disrespectful to stare into their eyes.

When greeting someone in Brunei, it is also customary to say "Assalamualaikum", which is a common greeting in Muslim countries. However, a simple "Hi!" or "Hello!" is also generally accepted.

Greeting men in Brunei

If you are greeting a man of Malay ethnicity, it is customary to shake hands. However, this greeting is not always used with older men or women. A short, firm handshake with the right hand is appropriate, although the Chinese handshake may be lighter and longer. Many people have adopted a two-handed handshake, but it is best to keep your left hand free as it is traditionally associated with matters of personal hygiene. When greeting someone, say "Selamat" followed by the corresponding time-based greeting: "Selamat pagi" ("good morning"), "Selamat tengah hari" ("good afternoon"), "Selamat petang" ("good afternoon/evening"), or "Selamat malam" ("good night"). If you are unsure of the time of day, a simple “hello” or "hi" will also work.

If you are greeting a Bruneian man who is a member of the royal family, their title will include the words "Pengiran", "Awangku", or "Dayangku". It is acceptable to address them by their title alone. The honorific titles for men and women who are not members of the royal family are "Awang" and "Dayang", respectively.

When greeting a Bruneian man, it is considered respectful to bow your head if he is senior to you in age or position. It is considered disrespectful to stare into his eyes, especially if he is your senior. Greet the eldest person first when you are invited into a home, and always use your right hand to give gifts.

Greeting women in Brunei

When greeting women in Brunei, it is important to note that gender relations are governed by Islamic principles and etiquette. Shaking hands with women is rare and generally not done. Instead, it is recommended to place your right hand over your heart and give a small bow when meeting a woman. Younger Bruneian men may, however, shake hands with foreign women, or simply bow their heads in greeting.

If you are a foreign businesswoman, it is advisable to nod your head in greeting. It is also worth noting that Bruneian communication is generally formal and respectful, especially towards those who are older or hold a higher position. Maintaining eye contact with someone who is senior to you in age or status is considered disrespectful and rude.

When greeting women in Brunei, it is also important to be mindful of cultural differences and to show respect for their traditions and customs.

Greeting people of different ages in Brunei

Greeting people in Brunei is dependent on their ethnic origin, gender, and age. The official language of Brunei is Standard Malay, but English is also widely spoken. Here are some guidelines for greeting people of different ages in Brunei:

Greeting Older People

It is considered respectful to bow your head when greeting someone who is senior to you in age or position. It is also customary to greet the eldest person first when visiting a Bruneian home. Greeting an older person with a simple "hello" or "hi" is also acceptable.

Greeting Younger People

When greeting younger people, a handshake is often appropriate for foreign visitors, especially with younger Bruneians. However, it is important to note that handshakes tend to be light, and some younger people may prefer to bow their heads instead. It is also worth mentioning that Bruneian society is hierarchical, and age and position are revered. Therefore, it is essential to greet older people first, regardless of their gender.

Greeting People of the Same Age

When greeting people of a similar age, a handshake is generally appropriate for men, while women may prefer a gentle handshake or a slight nod. It is also important to note that men and women do not traditionally shake hands in Bruneian culture, and foreign men should avoid initiating a handshake with local women. Instead, a male visitor should wait for the local woman to initiate the handshake, or simply nod or bow his head in greeting.

Greeting People in a Business Setting

In a business setting, greetings should be formal and demonstrate respect. It is important to introduce the most important person on your team first and to greet older businesspeople before younger ones. Handshakes are common, but they tend to be light, and Bruneian men often raise their hands to their hearts after shaking hands. Business titles are also important and can be quite lengthy, indicating connections to the royal family or other honours.

Greeting People at Different Times of Day

Like in many other Asian countries, greetings in Brunei vary depending on the time of day. The standard greeting is "Selamat" (pronounced "sell-a-mat"), which means "peace" in Malay. This is then combined with a phrase indicating the time of day:

• Selamat pagi ("pag-ee") for morning
• Selamat tengah hari ("teen-gah har-ee") for early afternoon
• Selamat petang ("puh-tong") for late afternoon or evening
• Selamat malam ("mah-lahm") for night or when going to sleep

Additionally, you can simply say Selamat or "Hi" if you are unsure of the time of day or as a generic greeting.

Greeting people of different religions in Brunei

Brunei is a predominantly Muslim country, with 82.1% of the population practising Islam, so the most common greeting is 'Assalamualaikum'. However, Brunei also has a significant number of Christians and Buddhists, with each making up over 6% of the population, and 4.9% of the population subscribe to various other religions, including indigenous religions.

If you are greeting a Muslim person in Brunei, the standard greeting is 'Assalamualaikum', which translates to 'peace be upon you'. This is a traditional Islamic greeting and is commonly used in Brunei as a respectful way to greet someone, regardless of their religion. It is considered a polite and formal greeting. However, in informal settings, people in Brunei may simply say "Hi" or "Hello" to greet each other, regardless of their religious background.

When greeting a Christian person in Brunei, you can use standard English greetings such as "Hello", "Good Morning", or "Good Afternoon". You can also wish them a "Merry Christmas" during the Christmas season.

For Buddhists in Brunei, you can use standard greetings in Malay, the local language. You can say "Selamat pagi" for "Good Morning", "Selamat tengah hari" for "Good Afternoon", or "Selamat petang" for "Good Evening". These greetings are respectful and appropriate.

If you are unsure of the religious affiliation of the person you are greeting, it is always safe to use a general and respectful greeting such as "Hello" or "Good Morning". Greeting someone in English is also appropriate in Brunei, as many people in the country speak and understand English well.

It is important to note that while Brunei guarantees freedom of religion, there are some restrictions on religious practices and expressions. These restrictions are outlined in the country's legal system, which includes both secular law and Sharia law. Respecting these cultural and religious norms is essential when greeting people of different religions in Brunei.

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