GREETING

Greeting is an act of communication in which human beings intentionally make their presence known to each other, to show attention to, and to suggest a type of relationship or social status between individuals or groups of people coming in contact with each other. While greeting customs are highly culture- and situation-specific and may change within a culture depending on social status and relationship, they exist in all known human cultures. Greetings can be expressed both audibly and physically, and often involve a combination of the two. This topic excludes military and ceremonial salutes but includes rituals other than gestures. Greetings are often, but not always, used just prior to a conversation.
A greeting can consist of an exchange of formal expression, a simple kiss, a hand shake or a hug. The form of greeting is determined by social etiquette, as well as by the relationship of the people. Beyond the formal greeting, which may involve a verbal acknowledgment and sometimes a hand shake, facial expression, gestures, body language and eye contact can all signal what type of greeting is expected. Gestures are the most obvious signal, for instance greeting someone with open arms is generally a sign that a hug is expected. However, crossing arms can be interpreted as a sign of hostility. Facial expression, body language and eye contact reflect emotions and interest level. A frown, slouching and lowered eye contact suggests disinterest, while smiling and an exuberant attitude is a sign of welcome.
Naturally speaking
You say hello, and I say goodbye!
Follow the dialogue.
Mr Bean meets Mrs Breuer, one of his students, and her husband in the street.
Mr Bean:
Good morning, Mrs Breuer.
Mrs Breuer:
Good morning, Mr Bean. How are you?
Mr Bean:
I'm fine thanks, and you?
Mrs Breuer:
Not too bad. Mr Bean, this is my husband Michael, Michael this is Mr Bean my English teacher.
Mr Breuer:
Pleased to meet you.
Mr Bean:
Pleased to meet you too. Are you from Germany, Mr Breuer?
Mr Breuer:
Yes, East Germany, from Dresden. And you, are you from London?
Mr Bean:
No, I'm from Derby, but I live in London now.
Mrs Breuer:
Well, goodbye Mr Bean, it was nice to see you.
Mr Bean:
Yes, goodbye.
Formal to Informal Greetings and Introductions
First meetings

Formal
Introducing yourself
Introducing others
Responding to an introduction
On Leaving


How do you do? My name is Mrs Hand.
Mrs Hand, may I introduce my boss, Mr Smith.
Pleased to meet you Mrs Hand.
Goodbye. It's a pleasure to have met you.


Hello, Lynne Hand. I'm the owner of this web site.
Lynne, I'd like you to meet John Smith, our salesman. John, this is Lynne Hand.
Pleased to meet you Lynne.
Goodbye. Nice to have met you.


Lynne Hand.
Lynne, meet John, my husband. John, this is my teacher Lynne.
Hi, Lynne. How are you?
Bye. It was nice to meet you.

Informal

Subsequent meetings

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.


Hi, Lynne. How are things?
Oh fine. You know how it is.