Greeting our friend,society and public

meaning for greet-To salute or welcome in a friendly and respectful way with speech or writing, as
upon meeting or in opening a letter.

How to Start a Conversation

Whether you are a host or a guest, there are many social situations that will call for interaction, even when you are stumped for some way to get it going. For example, you might want to help a friends new significant other feel comfortable. Or, you might see a stranger across a crowded room, and realize that this is your only chance to impress Mr. or Ms. Wonderful. Then, you realize that youre not sure what to say.

Start with a hello, and simply tell the new person your name then ask them theirs. Offer your hand to shake, upon his/her responding to you. (If you go to other countries, greet the person in tune with the particular culture). If you already know the person, skip this step and proceed to step. Look around. See if there is anything worth pointing out. Sure, talking about the weather is a cliche, but if theres something unusual about itbam!youve got a great topic of conversation. Offer a compliment. Dont lie and say you love someones hair when you think its revolting, but if you like his or her shoes, or a handbag, say so. A sincere compliment is a wonderful way to get someone to warm up to you. But be careful not to say something so personal that you scare the person off or make him or her feel uncomfortable. It is best not to compliment a persons looks or body. Ask questions! Most people love to talk about themselves get them going. What classes are you taking this year? Have you seen (Insert-Something-Here)? What did you think of it? Again, keep the questions light and not invasive. Do not ask too many questions if he or she is not responsive to them. Jump on any conversation-starters he or she might offer; take something he or she has said and run with it. Agree, disagree, ask a question about it, or offer an opinion, just dont let it go by without notice. Look your newfound friend in the eye, it engenders trust (but dont stare). Also, use the persons name a time or two during the conversation; it will help you remember the name, and will draw the persons attention to what you are talking about. Dont forget to smile and have fun with your conversation!

Tips

Just relax. Chances are that whatever small-talk youre making isnt going to stick out in anyones mind a few months from now. Just say whatever comes into your head, so long as its not offensive or really weird. (Unless, of course, the person youre attempting to converse with is into weird stuff.) Remember, if you think of something in your head while youre talking, its probably related. It will help if you watch some TV, listen to radio shows, and/or read a lot newspapers, magazines, and/or books. You need to have some idea of what is going on in the world. Also remember and plan to share anything you like, think is funny, or find intriguing. This is building up your own library of things that might be helpful to another person during a conversation someday. It will be amazing how you thread these interesting things when you least expect it, and make conversation an adventure instead of a dreadful task. If you take it to the next step and say things that you want the person to think of as adding value, and keep to yourself things that the person might not, you are actually honing your own personality to be appealing to the other person, and what is a greater act of kindness than that. If you are shy, it will be helpful to have thought about a topic or two that you could talk about. Follow the lead that your listener is expressing. If he or she appears interested, then continue. If he or she is looking at a clock or watch, or worse, looking for an escape strategy, then you have been going on for too long. Interesting and funny quotes or facts can lighten things up, and make way for things to talk about. You could also use a set of conversation starter question cards for inspiration. If talking over the phone, keep the person involved in the conversation at all costs. If you cant come up with a good topic, try the questions game. Just keep asking them questions; random questions work just fine as long as they are appropriate. This technique can save a phone conversation. The questions should be open ended questions that do not require a yes or no answer. For example How do you know the hosts? This way you can ask questions about what they just said or follow up with how you know the hosts (for example) instead of acting as if the conversation is an interrogation. Half of an effective conversation is the way you non-verbally communicate, and not necessarily what you say. Practice better non-verbal skills that are friendly and confident. Read newspapers and magazines to increase your knowledge so you can have more interesting things to talk about

Greetings
Two friends meeting Friends often say "Hi" to each other. Then they often ask a general question, such as "How are you?" or "How are things?" or "How's life?" The reply to this question is normally positive. "Fine thanks, and you?" "Fine thanks, what about yourself?" "Not bad." Or "Can't complain." Greeting people you don't know You can use "Hello" with people you don't know, but a more formal greeting is "Good morning / afternoon / evening." The other person normally replies with the same greeting as you have used and then makes polite conversation, such as "How was your trip?" or "Did you find our office easily?"

Introducing yourself
At an informal party "Hello, I'm Maria." Or "Hello, my name's Maria." The reply could be: "Hi, I'm Sarah." Or "Hello Maria, I'm Sarah." Or "Nice to meet you, I'm Sarah." At work-related events "I'd like to introduce myself. I'm Maria, from english@home." Or, "Let me introduce myself. I'm Maria from english@home." The reply could be: "Nice to meet you. I'm Peter Mitchell, from Mitchell Creations." "Pleased to meet you. I'm Peter Mitchell, from Mitchell Creations." "How do you do? I'm Peter Mitchell from Mitchell Creations."

Introducing other people

Introducing a friend to a work colleague "Sarah, have you met my colleague John?" "Sarah, I'd like you to meet my colleague John." Sarah says: "Pleased to meet you, John." Or "Nice to meet you, John." John could say: "Nice to meet you too, Sarah." Or "Hello, Sarah." Introducing clients "Mr Mitchell, I'd like to introduce you to my manager, Henry Lewis." Mr Mitchell could then say: "How do you do?" and Henry Lewis also says "How do you do?" Or Mr Mitchell could say: "Pleased to meet you." Or "Good to meet you."

Speaking Tip
"How do you do?" is quite formal for British English speakers and the reply to this question is to repeat the phrase, "How do you do?" (as strange as that may sound!) At a more informal party When you introduce two of your friends to each other, you can simply say, "John, this is Sarah."

Cultural considerations
At work, one person may have higher status your boss, or a client, for example. It's polite to address them as Mr / Ms until the situation becomes more informal. If someone says, "Please call me (Henry)", you know you can use first names. If someone uses your first name, you can use their first name too. People in European and English-speaking cultures often shake hands when they meet someone for the first time. * Don't forget to smile! :-)

Formal and informal

General greetings (Formal) 1. Hello! 2. How are you? 3. How are you doing? 4. How is everything? 5. Hows everything going? 6. How have you been keeping? 7. I trust that everything is well. General greetings (Informal) 8. Hi. 9. Whats up? 10. Good to see you. 11. How are things (with you)? 12. Hows it going? 13. Hows life been treating you? Greeting a person you havent seen for a long time (Formal) 14. It has been a long time. 15. Its been too long. 16. What have you been up to all these years? 17. Its always a pleasure to see you.

18. How long has it been? 19. Im so happy to see you again. Greeting a person you havent seen for a long time (Informal) How come I never see you? Its been such a long time. Long time no see. Where have you been hiding? Its been ages since we last met.

Examples Greeting with frends

Tips

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

Useful Phrases:

Pair Practice (casual between friends or coworkers)

Listen and read: A: B: A: B: A: B: A: Hi Corey. Hey, Jennifer. Good to see you. (hug) You too. How've you been? Busy, you? Pretty good. How's your new job? It's okay. There's a lot to learn. What's new with you? 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). examples of short easy(dialog)

Easy way to learn english - Role play

Listen to Nagesh introducing his cousin Suresh toBenjamin: Nagesh : Hello Suresh, how are you? (greeting) Suresh : Fine, Thank you. How are you? Nagesh : I am fine too. (responding to greeting) Benjamin, meet Mr.Suresh, my cousin. Suresh, meet my friend, Benjamin. Suresh : How do you do? (responding to first introduction) Benjamin : How do you do? Nagesh : Benjamin, yesterday I saw your brother going to St.Marthas hospital. Whats the matter? Benjamin : My father has been admitted there. He had a mild heart attack. Nagesh : How sad! Its very unfortunate. (expressing sympathy) Suresh : Oh! How is he now? Benjamin : Hes still in the ICU. But the doctor says that there is nothing to worry. Suresh : Thank God! (expressing relief) Nagesh : I wish him a speedy recovery. Hope hell get well soon. Benjamin: I hope so too. See you later. Suresh : See you. Bye! Nagesh : See you again. Bye! (taking leave)

Greetings in Business(public)
Proper etiquette is important in business greetings. Make sure to use polite language such as "please" and "thank you". Appropriate titles and gestures should also be used. Shaking hands is common in most English speaking countries. It is also important to smile. Tips Introduce yourself with name and title. Shake hands. Express happiness to meet the other person. Give or accept directions. Please have a seat. Thanks for agreeing to meet with me. He'll be right with you. Can I offer you something to drink? My pleasure.

Useful Phrases

Pair Practice

Listen and read: A: Hello. I'm Mia Conners. B: Hi Mia. I'm David Sinclair, and this is my partner Gina Evans. (hold out

hand to shake) A: Nice to meet you Mr. Sinclair and Ms Evans. Thank you for taking the time to meet with me today. B: It's our pleasure. And please, call us David and Gina. Can I take your coat? A: Thank you. B: No problem. Please take a seat and we'll be right with you. I just have to take make a quick phone call.

Further Practice for Pairs

Add a third speaker and create your own lines. Add an unexpected interruption (phone call, fax coming in, secretary). 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 in a business situation. okey va???

Greetings in a Friend's Home(friends)

When you go into a friend's home, it is polite to greet other people (relatives/roommates) in the house. Say hello and introduce yourself. A conversation may or may not follow. Tips Introduce yourself to people you don't know. Express happiness to meet the other person. Make small talk. You can call me... Thanks for coming. Thanks for having me. I've heard so much about you. It's nice to put a face to a name. You have a beautiful home.

Useful Phrases

Pair Practice

Listen and read: A: Hi Mike. I've heard all about you. Jesse says you love to play guitar. B: Yes I do, Mrs. Simpson. Nice to meet you.

A: We're glad to finally be able to meet you. Dinner will be ready in about twenty minutes. B: Is there anything I can do to help? A: No, everything is pretty much ready. We're just waiting on the roast. I hope you like roast beef. B: Yes, of course. Jesse tells me you are a fabulous cook.

Further Practice for Pairs

Add a third speaker and create your own lines. Add an unexpected interruption (phone call, sneeze, doorbell). 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 in a friend's home.

Greetings at a Party or Social Event

It is polite to greet many people at a social event. This is called "mingling". After you greet people you know look for people you haven't met before. Introduce yourself and start a conversation. Tips

Say hello and introduce yourself to a person who is not in a conversation. Talk about your relationship to the host. Discuss one party related item (food, theme, length of stay). Who are you here with? How do you know Jane? (party host) I don't think we've met. Have you been here long? Have you tried the cheese dip/dessert/punch? Where did you get your costume? The food looks great. I can't wait to try the dip. I love your dress/shirt/hat. It really suits you. (looks good on you) These decorations are wonderful. I love the table cloth/balloons/flowers.

Useful Phrases:

Pair Practice

Listen and read: A: B: A: B: A: B: A: B: I don't think we've met. I'm Stacey. (hold out hand to shake) Hi Stacey. I'm Carl. Hi Carl. So, how do you know Jane? Oh, Jane and I used to work together at a coffee shop. Oh, you mean when you were working in Japan? That's right. And how do you know her? Actually, Jane is my cousin. Our moms are sisters. No way! You two don't look anything alike.
Add a third speaker and create your own lines. Add an unexpected interruption (phone ringing, new friend arrives, host needs help). 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 in a social setting.

Further Practice for Pairs