GREETING
Greeting is an act of communication in which human beings intentionally make their presence known to each other, to show attention to, and to suggest a type of relationship or social status between individuals or groups of people coming in contact with each other. While greeting customs are highly culture- and situation-specific and may change within a culture depending on social status and relationship, they exist in all known human cultures. Greetings can be expressed both audibly and physically, and often involve a combination of the two. This topic excludes military and ceremonial salutes but includes rituals other than gestures. Greetings are often, but not always, used just prior to a conversation.
GREETING IN CONVERSATION
GREETING CARD
A
greeting card is an illustrated, folded card featuring an
expression of friendship or other sentiment. Although greeting cards are
usually given on special occasions such as birthdays, Christmas or other holidays, they are also sent to convey thanks or express other feeling. Greeting cards, usually packaged with an envelope,
come in a variety of styles. There are both mass-produced as well as
handmade versions that are distributed by hundreds of companies large
and small. While typically inexpensive, more elaborate cards with
die-cuts or glued-on decorations may be more expensive.
Hallmark Cards and American Greetings are the largest producers of greeting cards in the world. In the United Kingdom,
it is estimated that one billion pounds are spent on greeting cards
every year, with the average person sending 55 cards per year
In western countries and increasingly in other societies, many people
traditionally mail seasonally themed cards to their friends and
relatives in December. Many service businesses also send cards to their
customers in this season, usually with a universally acceptable
non-religious message such as "happy holidays" or "seasons's greetings".
The Greeting Card Association is an international trade
organization representing the interests of greeting card and stationery
manufacturers. John Beeder, former president of the Greeting Card
Association, says greeting cards are effective tools to communicate
important feelings to people you care about: "Anyone feels great when
they receive an unexpected card in the mail. For me, there’s nothing
like a greeting card to send a special message. I’m proud to be a part
of an industry that not only keeps people connected, but uses both
imagery and the power of words to help us express our emotions.”
|
GREETING CARD (HAPPY NEW YEAR) |
|
GREETING CARD (LOVE) |
|
GREETING CARD (BIRTH DAY) | | | | |
|
|
|
|
|