Iraqis Don't Know Why You Say Goodbye—They Say Hello

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BAGHDAD—For visitors here, it can be hard to say goodbye.

In Iraq, the English word hello has become entrenched in the parting protocol, usually as a decrescendo—HELLO, Hello, hello—until a call is disconnected or a door shut. Many Iraqis say they have no idea why.

The practice leaves newcomers perplexed. An official at the American…