A '''formality''' is an established procedure or set of specific [[behavior]]s and [[communication|utterances]], [[concepts|conceptually]] similar to a [[ritual]] although typically secular and less involved. A formality may be as simple as a handshake upon making new acquaintainces in Western [[culture]] to the carefully defined procedure of bows, handshakes, formal greetings, and business-card exchanges that may mark two businessmen being introduced in Japan. In legal and diplomatic circles, formalities include such matters as greeting an arriving head of state with the appropriate national anthem. | A '''formality''' is an established procedure or set of specific [[behavior]]s and [[communication|utterances]], [[concepts|conceptually]] similar to a [[ritual]] although typically secular and less involved. A formality may be as simple as a handshake upon making new acquaintainces in Western [[culture]] to the carefully defined procedure of bows, handshakes, formal greetings, and business-card exchanges that may mark two businessmen being introduced in Japan. In legal and diplomatic circles, formalities include such matters as greeting an arriving head of state with the appropriate national anthem. |