At On Verve, our mission is simple: to bring energy and humanity back into the workplace. Our DayMakers do this every day by turning small gestures into big moments of care. While kindness is universal, the ways we express it vary across cultures. From a bow in Japan to the aloha spirit in Hawaii, people everywhere have created rituals that say, “I see you, and you matter.”
Here are five day-making gestures from around the world and how they can inspire us to create more human workplaces.
The Japanese bow
In Japan, bowing is an art form. There are different depths of bow for different contexts: a shallow bow for a casual greeting, a deeper bow for respect, and even longer bows for sincere apologies. What unites them is the spirit of acknowledgement; it’s about honouring the presence of another person.
Workplace inspiration: You don’t need to bow at the office, but acknowledgement is everything. Instead of rushing past colleagues or guests, pause. Make eye contact, smile, and thank them sincerely. A five-second moment of recognition can shift someone’s entire day.
The Indian namaste
With palms pressed together at the chest and a slight bow, namaste is one of the most recognisable gestures of respect in the world. It means more than hello or goodbye; it’s a spiritual acknowledgement of the worth and humanity of the person in front of you.
Workplace inspiration: Too often greetings in the workplace become transactional: “Hi.” “Morning.” What if we slowed down? Whether it’s offering a warm handshake, a smile, or even a personalised “good morning, Sam”, intentional greetings can build connection from the very first moment of the day.
Sharing tea or coffee in the Middle East
In many Middle Eastern cultures, offering tea or coffee is a centuries-old expression of hospitality. The ritual isn’t about the drink itself — it’s about extending warmth, generosity, and belonging. Guests are rarely allowed to leave without sharing a cup, and that gesture says, “You are welcome here.”
Workplace inspiration: Every workplace can borrow this spirit of hospitality. Keep a coffee or tea station stocked and inviting or consider small “rituals of care” like offering water to a visiting guest. Even something as simple as sharing biscuits during a meeting communicates, “You’re valued here.”
The Hawaiian aloha spirit
Aloha is one of those words that doesn’t translate neatly. While it’s often used as hello or goodbye, its deeper meaning is about living with kindness, compassion, and harmony. It’s not just a word, it’s a philosophy: treat others with genuine warmth, and the world feels lighter.
Workplace inspiration: Encourage your team to embody “aloha” in interactions, whether with guests, clients, or colleagues. That means listening with empathy, greeting with warmth, and being generous with positivity. When workplaces adopt this spirit, they stop feeling transactional and start feeling more human.
The European cheek kiss or handshake
Across Europe, greetings vary widely. In France, it’s a kiss on each cheek; in Spain, two quick kisses; in parts of Eastern Europe, sometimes three. Elsewhere, a warm handshake or hug is the norm. Each culture adapts its own form of connection, but the underlying gesture is the same: closeness, trust, and welcome.
Workplace inspiration: Not every workplace will be comfortable with physical greetings, and that’s fine. What matters is creating a personal connection in a way that fits your culture. A handwritten welcome note for a guest, using someone’s name when you greet them, or remembering a detail from a past conversation can all replicate that feeling of personal warmth.
When we spoke to the DayMakers about cultural traditions from where they are from, Edyta mentioned a tradition from Poland, where, in addition to birthdays, they also celebrate name days (imieniny). Many people treat them just as seriously. It’s another opportunity to offer kind wishes or give small gifts, often more spontaneously and informally.
Polish calendars usually include the names celebrated on each day, so it’s common for people to check when their friends’ or coworkers’ name days are coming up. Unlike birthdays, name days don’t usually involve planned parties; instead, people might stop by, call, or simply offer a warm “Happy Name Day!”
These traditions may look different around the world, but they share a common thread: the power of human connection. A simple gesture, a bow, a smile, a warm welcome, can shift someone’s entire day.
That’s what our DayMakers do at On Verve: take inspiration from the world’s best traditions of kindness and hospitality and bring them into the workplace. Because through connection and genuine human care, every interaction has the power to make someone’s day.
