Greetings before a Conversation

Sometimes you stop and talk for a minute as you say hello. This type of greeting is followed by a conversation. Close friends often hug when they greet each other, especially after a long time without seeing one other. Men sometimes give each other a hand shake or a high-five (touch palms above the head).






Tips

• Stand near a person and say hello.
• Express happiness to see a person.
• Ask a question or begin a conversation.

Useful Phrases:

• Nice to see you.
• Long time no see. (I haven't seen you in a while.)
• What have you been up to?
• How are things?
• It's been a while. (It's been a while since I've seen you.)
• What's new?
• Not much. (answer to What's new?)

Pair Practice (casual between friends or coworkers)

A: Hi Corey.
B: Hey, Jennifer. Good to see you. (hug)
A: You too. How've you been?
B: Busy, you?
A: Pretty good. How's your new job?
B: It's okay. There's a lot to learn. What's new with you?
A: Not much. The kids are back at school.
Note: Between very close friends it's uncommon to use names in a casual greeting. Sometimes nicknames or short forms are used. (Cor and Jen instead of Corey and Jennifer).

Further Practice for Pairs

• Add a third speaker and create your own lines.
• Add an unexpected interruption (bus arrives, friend comes out of a store, child fusses).
• Write the next four lines between the two speakers.
• Write an inappropriate line and explain why it should not be part of the greeting.
• Create a new dialogue that takes place between people who start up a conversation.