Final answer:
In a formal or business setting in North America, a handshake is the typical greeting for people meeting for the first time, although alternatives like a small wave have become more common due to recent health concerns. Cultural background can influence personal space preferences, and in casual encounters, a verbal greeting without physical contact is usual.
Step-by-step explanation:
In North America, particularly within a formal or business setting, the standard greeting between people meeting for the first time is typically a handshake. Handshakes signify a professional and respectful acknowledgement of the other person. However, given the recent pandemic, some alternatives to handshakes have become more common, such as a small wave, a nod, or verbal greetings combined with eye contact and a smile. Cultural factors heavily influence greetings, and what is considered appropriate in one setting may be different in another. For instance, behaviors that are normative in one culture could be misconstrued or have a different significance in another. In the United States, personal space is highly valued, and maintaining an arm's length of space is generally recommended in professional environments. Interactions in more casual settings like passing an acquaintance at school or in a grocery store tend to be less formal. A verbal greeting such as "Hello" or "How was your weekend?" without physical contact is common. Respecting personal space and being attentive to social cues remains important in these scenarios as well.