Ethiopians kiss and shake hands whenever they greet each other. They do the kissing on both cheeks mostly 4 times. Young people and children bow to older people to show their respect at a time of greeting. When someone dies, all members of the community pay tribute to the deceased by joining the funeral procession and by consoling the grieving family at home, regardless of whether they had known the person who passed away. People who live in the immediate neighborhood accompany the grieving family day and night for three days at least, and bring food and beverage to be consumed by those who come to console the family. Most neighbors call upon each other every morning to hold the traditional coffee ceremony and to chat away. A typical ceremony usually takes about an hour. The elderly are given standing ovation every time they meet up with their juniors. Greeting someone older while sitting is very disrespectful.

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