Why do you think human beings really greet each other?

[Paper]

And in different cultures, settings and groups, they greet each other in different ways.
It's something natural, we don't think about, we do automatically and learn to do, we just do it..
I have been speculating about the deep reasons that go behind people greeting each other, so what do you think?
I know that it's for social interaction, communication, being friendly, nice, and so on, but what about other reasons such as satisfying our own personal ego and well-being, receiving attention in return for giving attention, and breaking down barriers ie being at ease with the person, and dissolving away self-conscious thoughts....?

 

[Martell]

Interesting! I'd never thought about it--but my reaction is that my greeting others indicates that I mean no harm and that I'm friendly. If the other is too friendly in return, then I give them a wide berth. As well as if they seem hostile. It seems to be a way of my gaging my safety.