Oromos are friendly people who express their feelings openly. The traditional greeting used by men and women is called “nagayaa gaafachuu” and is an exchange about peace and well-being. They grasp each other’s hands and kiss the top of the other person’s hands or cheeks. If they are related or close friends, they would kiss each other on the cheek. In the diaspora, however, they often shake hands in the western manner. When meeting a person on the road or street they say, “Did you have a peaceful night or day?”
Children are commonly hugged when greeted.
Akkam? (Hi/Hello?), Fayyaadhaa? (How are you?), and Maatiin kee attam? (How is your family doing?) are common greeting phrases or questions.
The other person answers, Ani fayyaadha (I am fine), Maatin koos nagaadha (My family is ok), and Ati fayyaadhaa? (What about you, are you fine?).
The most common way of saying thank you is ‘galatoomaa’
Afaan Oromo (Oromo language) tends to be more formal than the English language In social exchange. Oromos are formal with everyone except family, close friends, classmates and young children.
