Everyday Greetings

Everyday Greetings

"Good morning."

"Good afternoon."

"Good evening."

"Goodbye."

+ "Good night."

+ "Good night."

Special Greetings

"Happy Christmas." or "Merry Christmas."

00.01 - 1st January "Happy New Year!"

"Happy Easter."

or etc.... "Good Luck!"

or etc... "Congratulations!" or "Well done!"

"Get well soon."

Shaking Hands

When meeting someone formally for the first time, we shake their hand and say "How do you do?" or "Pleased to meet you."

"How do you do?" isn't really a question, it just means "Hello".

When young people meet informally they sometimes say "Give me five!" and slap their hands together (high five).

Generally we do not shake hands with people we know well.

Cartoon by Michael Leunig © Republished with permission.

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

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