The traditional Malay greeting is called “salam“. It resembles a handshake, but with both hands stretched out. Both man and woman will offer both their hands. You can lightly touch your friend’s hands and bring back one hand to your chest and say, “I greet you from my heart”.
So in other words, this basic greeting gesture is performed by embracing two hands forward to accept the other party’s extended hands, and after bring your hand it subtly to the chest. While it’s ok with most Malay are Muslims, please be cautious about extending hands to opposite sex. If you’re a male, only accept this greeting hand gesture if a female is extending her hands to you first.
