Let's Create a New Green Greeting

Hello.
Hi.
Hey!
Yo--

Such good greetings, all of them. They're short and easy to remember, they have a good sound. All have lots of mileage behind them. These greetings forge a connection between you and someone else, then prepare you to move forward. They both open a door and invite you in.

Not bad, for maybe one syllable.

But we can do better.

Think on this: At the same time as our old greetings are doing their good works, they're doing something else. Something that excludes.

That's the rub. When you greet another person, you're in some way separating your shared selves from the wider world, even if momentarily. Creating an in-group and an out-group. Bubbles may be temporary, but they hold air.

But division is so over. We're in the midst of a worldwide environmental tragedy, and an essential part of fighting back involves bringing people together. We must use every chance we get — and greeting gives us limitless opportunities.

The time has come to replace our traditional greetings with one that affirms not only our connectedness to other people, but to the earth. Rather than implying any kind of separation, our greetings should proclaim — even if softly — our unity with the whole of the creation. And invite the folks we greet to join us in this grand linkage.

Like namaste, the spiritual community's adopted salute, the green movement needs its quiet, person-to-person rallying cry. A subtle, unobtrusive means of saying: Remember: This is important.

<>

A greeting holds real power. It makes us feel noticed, welcome, warm... And you can put those feelings to good green use. By leading with the right words, you can build connection to the earth. You can make a real contribution to the green movement literally every time you meet someone.

Of course, no words can substitute for your consuming less, or flying less, or going vegan, or participating in every Extinction Rebellion event you can.

But a green greeting is a wonderful supplement to your heartfelt cause. It will let people know your environmental concern is central to your life. And your quiet, understated example will absolutely inspire others to greater awareness. Multiply this by each meet, and you may just move the world.

<>

But your greeting is not only a greeting. It's a gift. And the best kind of gift: one that the recipient can pass on. Hear it once, find it meaningful, or — let's be optimistic — irresistible, then share it next time out. An effective greeting can definitely pay forward green consciousness.

It's also a gift to yourself. An earth-affirming greeting is an unlimited means for you to express your wise convictions. And more. It's a declaration of purpose. A display of your daily devotion. Every person you meet will be like a bead in your rosary.

A green greeting is also a form of prayer. A prayer expressing your hopes for a cause that is — hello! — the greatest challenge and transcendent priority of our time.

<>

So, let's go for it. Let's find words of greeting that will lead people to eco-awareness. Let's let our first words show how meeting someone is just the local instance of our larger integration. In doing so, you'll be paying the person you greet a compliment. She is your bridge to the world.

Another thing. According to sources, "hello" has an origin and history linked to the old Anglo salute "Hail, fellow!" That's to say, hello is gendered — another reason it's gotta go.

<>

What might our new greeting be? Any number of approaches. One combines existing words. We have many of these now: "Good to meet you." "Nice to say hello." "Live long and prosper."

Greeting 2.0 possibilities might include "You and Earth," "Together with our planet," or "You-I-Earth." All accompanied, if so inspired, by a handshake or a cheek kiss.

Another approach involves creating a word. And the created word will be stronger if it references what we're trying to express.

How about:
Ashami: a conjunction of "A Shared Miracle."
Yishami: derived from "You and I, Sharing a Miracle."
Amisha: "A Miracle Shared."

(All have the advantage of sounding vaguely Japanese — very cool. And the last begins with "ami" — "friend" in many Latin languages.)

But there have to be better possibilities, and we welcome hearing them. If you think of one, kindly let us know, at green.greeting@stevesweave.net. We'll get back to you in this space with suggestions we receive, then put them to a vote.

It's time to say goodbye to hello. More than time. It has served us well. But it has earned its honorable retirement.

Yishami!

—By Karen Yang and S. Seeger