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Showing respect and appreciation by Polish people, forms of greetings in Poland. [31]
ladies first - when greeting a group of people the ladies are greeted first in order of age
A no-no nowadays. Most women don't like their age being the focus of any attention, and it is frankly rude to do so.
women (except for feisty, two-fisted feminists) still have their doors opened, cigarettes lit and chairs pushed in;
Nope, not always. Particularly in a business environment, this is seen as a huge faux pas. Trying to claim that they are "two-fisted feminists" shows that you very much think that women should be staying at home.
--hand-kissing - this was the normal way of greeting females until recently
Kissing hands is a no-no in today's Poland among anyone under the age of 65. It's simply not done unless you know the person actually appreciates it, and most don't. It is particularly disgusting/offensive when someone unknown tries it.
--nodding, hat tipping
Tipping a hat is again unheard of among anyone under the age of 65. Removing it is of course normal. Saying hello on the street is natural.
NOTE: Throughout the West these and other polite practices
No Polonius, most of these practices are seen as out of date and harking back to a time when women were expected to stay at home and be a slave rather than a person.
