2020-05-11
How many times we meet friends, clients, customers, and others every day?
Of course a lot, right? And then what should we say when we meet someone and greet them? And what should we say when we end the communication nicely.
There are many expressions we can use to greet someone and end the communication from formal to informal ways.
1. Greeting.
There are two ways to greet others, formal or informal way. It is important to know the common greetings and how to use the expressions properly and confidently.
What is greeting?
The greeting is a salutation upon meeting someone or an expression of good wishes. In other words to greet someone or to extend a polite word of welcome.
Formal VS Informal Greeting
Formal Greeting | Informal Greeting |
Use informal situations like greet someone we respect, formal classroom, presentation, etc. | Use in most informal situations like when you greet your close friends in schoolyard, or to someone you meet on the streets |
Expressions | Expressions |
1. Hello. 2. How are you? 3. Good morning. 4. Good afternoon. 5. Good evening. 6. What are you doing? 7. It’s nice to meet you. 8. How is it going? 9. How are you doing? 10. Good to see you. 11. It is a pleasure to meet you. 12. How do you do? 13. It’s an honor to meet you. 14. Nice to meet you. | 1. Hi! 2. Hey! 3. What’s up? 4. Howdy! 5. What’s new? 6. What’s going on? 7. How is it going? 8. How are things? 9. How is everything 10. How’s life? 11. Long time no see! 12. It’s good to see you |
Examples | Examples |
Mr. Han (arriving at his class): “Good morning, students. How are you today” Students: “Good morning sir, we are very well, thank you! | Ghania: “Hi, Ratu. What’s new? Ratu: “G’day (short of good day), how are things?” |
Then, how we respond to them properly? Look to the table down below:
Formal Greetings Responses
Expressions | Responses |
Hello. | Hello. |
How are you? | I’m fine. Thank you! |
Good morning. | Good morning. |
Good afternoon. | Good afternoon. |
Good Evening. | Good Evening |
How do you do? | How do you do? |
What are you doing? | I’m doing well. Thank you! |
How is everything? | Everything is fine. Thank you. |
Nice to meet you. It’s nice to meet you? | Nice to meet you. |
Good to see you. | Good to see you too. |
Informal Greetings Responses
Expressions | Responses |
What’s up? | Pretty well. |
How are things? | Not bad. |
How is it going? | Well nothing special. |
How is life? | It’s pretty good, thanks. |
What’s new? | Nothing much. |
What’s cracking? | Great. |
How have you been? | I’ve been fine. |
Some expressions can be used in formal or informal situations like “How is it going”, “Good morning”, etc. you can modify the response as your situation.
What to do when we greet others?
For the formal situation you can do these below:
- It’s good to start with a sincere smile.
- Offer a firm handshake.
For an informal situation or a person is your old friend, you might:
- Give a hug.
- Say extra words.
- Or anything else you usually do.
What not to say when we greet others?
- Have you lost weight?
- How old are you?
- Any questions or statements are private for them.
2. Leave Taking / Parting
Leave taking or parting usually used if we part with someone we know. Please take a look to the table below how to leave taking and its responses.
These are for formal situations.
Expressions | Responses |
Good bye. | Good bye/take care. |
See you tomorrow. | See you. |
See you later. | See you. |
See you next (week, day, month, etc) | See you. |
Sorry, I have to go now. | Never mind, see you. |
I’ll talk to you later. | Sure, see you later. |
It’s been nice talking to you. | So long. |
I think I must go now. | Bye. |
Let’s hope we meet again soon. | See you. |
These are for informal situations.
Expressions | Responses |
So long for now | Bye now |
Bee seeing you | Bee seeing you too |
Have a nice day | Thanks and you too |
Have a good trip | Thanks |
Give regard to your . . . | Sure, I will |
Take care of your self | I will |
Be careful. | Sure |
Examples of Greeting and Leave Taking Dialog.
Mr. Han | : | Good morning students |
Students | : | Good morning sir |
Mr. Han | : | How are you today? |
Students | : | We are fine. And you? |
Mr. Han | : | Fine too. |
Gaffar | : | Hi, Putri! |
Putri | : | Hi, Gaffar. |
Gaffar | : | How are you doing? |
Putri | : | Pretty well. By the way. Where are you going? |
Gaffar | : | I’m going to the swimming pool. Will you join me? |
Putri | : | Oh, sorry I must help my father in the studio. |
Gaffar | : | It’s okay. See you next time. |
Putri | : | See you. Have a nice day. |
It’s all about greeting and leave-taking expression. I hope this post useful for you. These expressions are pretty easy to learn. Try to use them appropriately and try to use a different way every time you greet or part someone.
Vocabulary Corner:
Formal – adj. (a style of dress, speech, writing, behavior, etc.) very correct and suitable for official or important occasions.
Informal – adj. relaxed and friendly; not following strict rules of how to behave or do something.
Wish – V. To want something to happen or to be true even though it is unlikely or impossible.
