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[Closed] What do you say when you meet someone?

 DrJ
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[#6242262]

Have to confess, I just sort of mumble something unintelligible. This article champions a return to "how do you do?", but I'm worried enough about turning into my dad, let alone my granddad. What's the answer ??

[url= http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/jun/03/how-do-you-do-english-standard-greeting ]http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/jun/03/how-do-you-do-english-standard-greeting[/url]


 
Posted : 03/06/2014 10:56 am
 ton
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handshake, with a 'how do'.


 
Posted : 03/06/2014 10:58 am
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Hello. Have you heard the good news about Jesus?


 
Posted : 03/06/2014 11:01 am
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ey up ducky


 
Posted : 03/06/2014 11:02 am
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The problem is that the standard 'Hello, how are you' always appears very insincere and it's seldom met with a truthful answer.

Hello, how are you?
I'm not that well, I've had a shit day, how are you?

Doesn't generally happen. So on in general your first meeting with a stranger starts with a lie. Not a great basis of a relationship.


 
Posted : 03/06/2014 11:03 am
 hora
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I always shake hands or- if I know them either or a hug. Man or woman.

I'm not into the Big Bang Theory/Sheldon- stand offish 'err hi' stuff. Call me over familiar but I prefer emotions to poker-fache 8)


 
Posted : 03/06/2014 11:03 am
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I say "hello how are you" seems to stump a few people.


 
Posted : 03/06/2014 11:03 am
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Hi, I'm [insert name of child you are accompanying to which ever kids birthday party it is this weekend]'s Dad. Previously known as Steve.


 
Posted : 03/06/2014 11:04 am
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I would love "how do you do" to become our standard greeting.


 
Posted : 03/06/2014 11:04 am
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Have to confess, I just sort of mumble something unintelligible

You're a doctor,that's all they will expect.


 
Posted : 03/06/2014 11:04 am
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Depends on business or intro from friend.

I'd normally say, Hi...nice to meet you.


 
Posted : 03/06/2014 11:05 am
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Hi, pleased to meet you.

(though I'm terrible for forgetting names and faces so often it's some awkward bet-hedging option if I'm not sure if I should know the person.)


 
Posted : 03/06/2014 11:06 am
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"ahoy hoy!"


 
Posted : 03/06/2014 11:08 am
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so the guardian are advocating the terry thomas approach


 
Posted : 03/06/2014 11:09 am
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Alreet,
Now then,
or owdo


 
Posted : 03/06/2014 11:11 am
 hora
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The only time I wont say hi is when

'now then I'm doing a KOM Strava attempt here in the Peaks'

**** off you ****.


 
Posted : 03/06/2014 11:13 am
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Gotta love a bit of Terry Thomas! 🙂


 
Posted : 03/06/2014 11:13 am
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"Hello there" or "all right?" or "Hola!".


 
Posted : 03/06/2014 11:14 am
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alright me old china


 
Posted : 03/06/2014 11:14 am
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Someone I don't know = "Hello, nice to meet you...."
Someone I know = "Hi, good to see you again", "How are you doing?"
People I know better than I should = "Oh g*d not you again"


 
Posted : 03/06/2014 11:15 am
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"'ello Tweacle."


 
Posted : 03/06/2014 11:16 am
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I always shake hands or- if I know them either or a hug. Man or woman.

I'll stop short at hugging, except with a very few close people*, but I do like a handshake. It sets a tone of commitment to the meeting, which I think we all value.

In the business context, a handshake and then just my name and company. If I already know them, then a handshake and something along the lines of "great to see you - how are you doing?".

In the wider social context, then a handshake and a "great to meet you" or similar (depending on how great it is), or something more suited to the occasion (I wouldn't say that to a bathroom salesman, for example).

I like "how do you do", but don't often deploy it these days. I think I'll make an effort to try it out more often and see how it goes.


 
Posted : 03/06/2014 11:22 am
 gazc
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allreet
how do
aye up

all pronounced with a barnsley dialect to confuse people


 
Posted : 03/06/2014 11:27 am
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S'up?

or

oi oi cockah

all depends on the occasion.


 
Posted : 03/06/2014 11:31 am
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I say Salut, ça va if i know them.. I then get a real response normally..

or if we dont know each other, Bonjour, comment ça va? Real answers normally follow also..

these europeans dont normally mince their words with people so you do actually get proper conversations..


 
Posted : 03/06/2014 11:34 am
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Sup' famalam.
Or if I'm feeling nostalgic. Waaaasssssupppp


 
Posted : 03/06/2014 11:36 am
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European lady came into the office yesterday, all European except for me. She kissed the 1st person 3 times, then a few more, then it was my turn. must have noticed my mild discomfort and shook my hand.

Shaking hands is good - unless you're in Team Sky in which case you'll be wary of catching germs.


 
Posted : 03/06/2014 11:41 am
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At 43 I have been using 'How do you do' proudly as my standard greeting together with a firm handshake. I am relaxing into the idea that I may be turning into my Dad but then he's not a bad bloke to know.
It does surprise me how many times people are taken aback or don't quite know how to respond. Much in the same way that I react when greeted with " 'Sup Bro" complete with an offer of a fist bump. Too old for that nonsense now.


 
Posted : 03/06/2014 11:44 am
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"Hi" followed by a s****, and pointing out "pfft, 26" wheels, how very last century"

😉

#moreendurothanyou


 
Posted : 03/06/2014 11:45 am
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"Arite san". To people I know.

You need to have an Edinburgh accent in your head.

"HELLO MY NAME IS CHRIS I LIKE SOFT COLOURS" To new people.


 
Posted : 03/06/2014 11:49 am
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STWers talking to people in real life?


 
Posted : 03/06/2014 11:52 am
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"Hello" or "Nice to meet you". Usually with a handshake.


 
Posted : 03/06/2014 11:56 am
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"Have you got any sponges? I'm not allowed sharp objects."

Usually suffices. Otherwise "Hello!"


 
Posted : 03/06/2014 12:02 pm
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How do you do to a stranger

Nice to meet you fine when leaving but never as a greeting


 
Posted : 03/06/2014 12:04 pm
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Bout ye.


 
Posted : 03/06/2014 12:10 pm
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Wa gwan bredren?

Or

Handshake etc.

Depends on the context.


 
Posted : 03/06/2014 12:13 pm
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I find a quick grab of the balls if it's a bloke negates all this "introduction" business, if it's a womanz then it's a flick of the nips..

Seems to work. 😉


 
Posted : 03/06/2014 12:17 pm
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This is how it's done.


 
Posted : 03/06/2014 12:18 pm
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Hoy da, Rutterkin.


 
Posted : 03/06/2014 12:20 pm
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"Who are you and how the hell did you get past security.... and get your hands off my balls!"


 
Posted : 03/06/2014 12:31 pm
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"Nice tits"

Works for both sexes.


 
Posted : 03/06/2014 1:10 pm
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Alright fxxkface.


 
Posted : 03/06/2014 1:58 pm
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"Hello"

Simple. Effective. A bit like me!


 
Posted : 03/06/2014 2:03 pm
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Give me your clothes, your boots and your motorcycle


 
Posted : 03/06/2014 2:06 pm
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'Wotcha'

I try and avoid touching due to OCD about shit and muck and the odd virus that is inevitably present on folks hands...


 
Posted : 03/06/2014 2:41 pm
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