4 Ways to Celebrate World Hello Day

The value of welcoming someone has never been more apparent than it is now. What would our world be like if we didn't say hello to each other? A lovely thing about welcoming someone, no matter what language or nation they come from, is that it's a universal expression of humanity.

It's critical even before the pandemic that we instill in our children a sense of self-assurance while interacting with strangers. Since we are increasingly relying on digital communication, personal communication may be challenging to teach.

That's why there's a good thing that this little-known but critically important event such as World Hello Day can give parents a great chance to show their children the power of a simple "hello" and a smile.

Promote world peace

On November 21, 180 nations commemorate World Hello Day, a non-official secular celebration that emphasizes the value of human connection in creating peace. People are invited to join by simply greeting at least ten people on this special day. 

The Nobel Peace Prize laureates are among many who have underlined the importance of World Hello Day as a tool to settle conflicts and as a time for people worldwide to participate in the process of peace creation. Aside from them, nearly a hundred notable figures from the literary and entertainment worlds have also shown their support.

As easy as it seems, World Hello Day encourages us to say hello to everyone we meet and recognizes the importance of simple communication in our everyday lives. However, the history of how it came to be is a fascinating one.

How did it start?

World Hello Day was formed in 1973 to show people, particularly those in the Middle East, that disputes can and should be handled via diplomacy rather than violence. Clear and honest communication is said to promote peace. As Egypt and Israel were engaged in a long-running conflict in the 1970s, many people started to worry that another major confrontation might ensue.

As a direct reaction to the Arab and Israeli officials conflict known as the Yom Kippur War, Arizona State University graduate Brian McCormack and Harvard graduate Michael McCormack launched World Hello Day in 1973.

World leaders advocate peace.

For the first time, these two brothers gathered up all of their savings and purchased postage to send out letters to as many of the government leaders around the world as they could. More than a dozen nations came out in favor of their cause in the first year of their campaign.

More than a hundred and sixty-five nations have joined their ranks in the previous 42 years. These days, regular people and international leaders utilize this day to work out their disagreements via discourse rather than conflict resolution. Writers, actors, and Nobel Laureates from across the world have also lent their support to the McCormack brothers' holiday.

How to celebrate World Hello Day 2021

Although participating in World Hello Day is quite simple as all you have to do is only greet at least ten strangers on that day, you can take a step a bit further in reaching out to people in your community.

1. Learn how to greet people in various languages.

We live in a vibrant and fascinating world because of the many various ways people say hello. 

Did you know that the Arabic phrase "assalamu alaikum" means "peace be upon you"? In most Arab and Muslim nations, this is a popular form of greeting.

Aloha, on the other hand, has significant cultural importance in Hawaii. To say hello or goodbye, the word is also a symbol of compassion, love, and peace. 

Meanwhile, Zolgokh is a ceremonial greeting in Mongolia. The younger person's arms are put beneath the elder's, and the elbows are grasped to demonstrate support for their elders.

Learn a new way of saying hello today in another language and be amazed at how many new friends or people you can meet this holiday!

2. Make contact with old acquaintances.

You might have some friends whom you haven't talked for a long time. Perhaps it is a classmate from high school or a fellow student from the college. 

It's a good thing that you have a great reason to reconnect with them do something kind for someone you haven't seen in a while on World Hello Day. It might be challenging to keep in touch with old friends, but making the first step to greet someone you once had a close link with is a beautiful way to mark the occasion!

3. Greet people with a smile and enthusiasm.

Make it a habit to greet people with a bright, upbeat tone daily. You will be surprised that you are more likely to get a warm and kind response in return.

Even at work, it's lovely to be greeted with a smile, and a kind welcome in the morning. You'll not only brighten the lives of others, but you'll also feel good about yourself!

4. Discover some amazing facts about the word, Hello.

Since hello is the most common word that we use in greeting someone, let's know some facts about this beautiful word:

• According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the term first appeared in print in the Norwich Courier in 1826, when it was employed as a means of attracting attention rather than a welcome.
• Although Alexander Graham Bell is widely acknowledged as the telephone inventor, his competitor Thomas Alva Edison established "hello" as the official greeting.
• Did you know that in the 19th century, it was considered disrespectful and unprofessional to engage in conversation with anybody without first being introduced? That is why a quick "hello" became a standard greeting for phone calls.

Hello, a powerful word in preserving peace

The power of a simple hello may break through barriers and foster global peace. In war-torn regions of the globe, the topic of peace may be a sensitive one. So it's a good thing to know that you may avoid misunderstandings by remembering the hello day's value while being attentive to each other's viewpoints. 

Always consider while talking to individuals about what peace means to them and what it means to you. Share your culture and knowledge by telling them how to say hello in your native language. Remember that a cheerful greeting can do miracles and heal wounds.