A Few of My Favorite Things

Greetings -- they are very important here.  It is customary to greet everyone in a room and/or meeting as you arrive and leave.  For men, handshakes and for women a kiss on the left cheek. Even in hailing a taxi, there is a customary greeting. "Buenos dias" (or tardes or noches as the case may be). "al San Martin, segunda cuadra" (the direction, 2d block of San Martin).  After negotiating the price, you enter and again, another salutation "Buenos Dias" from both the taxista and the passenger. And sure, leaving a party or gathering with 20 friends may take a little longer, but it is one of my favorite things about Peru.