The traditional Sikh greeting is done with folded hands but, especially in the Western world, the normal practice is a handshake between persons of the same gender. Family members, or very close friends, male or female, may embrace each other. The traditional Sikh greeting is ‘Sat Sri Akal’ (God is the Truth) and can be used also when a male greets a female, or vice versa. The greeting is generally done with folded hands, especially when greeting someone of the opposite sex.