Re: "Hi" not "Salam"
Salam is not culture, its religion. U need to be able to differentiate b/w the two.
Assalam Alaikum.... and to follow Islamic Culture one should say that always...
By the Way Islam is a Deen....
"Deen" means a way of Life, when Muslims meet each other they Should say Salam and reply with one better than was given.
**and so it is written in our Holy Books....:) **