Informal Greetings!

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).

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



! Note - on first meetings say, "It's nice to meet you". For future meetings say, "It's nice to see you again".