In English (as in all languages), there are different ways to greet people in formal and informal situations.
| Arriving
|
| Formal Greetings
| Informal Greetings
|
| Good morning / afternoon / evening.
Hello (name), how are you?
Good day Sir / Madam (very formal)
| Hi / Hello
How are you?
What's up? (very informal)
How are you doing? (very informal)
|
| It's important to note that the question "How are you?" or "What's up?" doesn't necessary need a response. If you do respond, these phrases are generally expected:
Very well, thank you. And you? (formal)
Fine / Great (informal)
|
| Departing
|
| Formal Greetings
| Informal Greetings
|
| Good morning / afternoon / evening.
It was a pleasure seeing you.
Goodbye.
Note: After 8 p.m. - Good night.
| Goodbye / Bye.
See you (later).
Later (very informal).
|
| Formal
| Possible greetings
| Possible responses
|
|
↕
| Hello, Mrs Hand. It's nice to see you again.
| What a pleasant surprise! How are you? It's been a while.
|
| Good morning, Mrs Hand. How are you today?
| I'm very well, thank you. And you?
|
| Good afternoon, Mrs Hand. It's good to see you.
| Thank you. It's nice to see you too. How are you?
|
| Hello Lynne. How are you doing?
| Fine thanks. What's new with you?
|
| Hi, Lynne! How's it going?
| Not too bad, busy as ever.
|
| Informal
| Hi, Lynne. How are things?
| Oh, fine. You know how it is.
|
