How are you?

Question

Hello,I found this definition:http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/How_are_youMy first question is: How would you say in other words "it does not require a literal response". We do not need to respond, but we can if we want?Second question: Is it possible between two people:-Hi Greg. How are you? -I am not very well today.or-Hi Greg. How are you?-Hi Fiona. How are you?Third: Am I right in thinking that the expression has an idiomatic meaning: "Hello!," and a literal which concerns your physical sensations like headache and also mental sensations, like happines, depression, right?You know it is very important in my culture to enquire about other people's mood and physical state if you meet them. It is a common topic like it is the weather in England.Thanks for your attention.

Clive · Accepted Answer

Hi,
I found this definition:
http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/How_are_you

My first question is: How would you say in other words "it does not require a literal response". We do not need to respond, but we can if we want? When we meet people, especially for the first time, this is not a real question but just a standard and polite greeting that we say.
In another context, for example if someone is in a situation where we think they are hurt, it could be a real question.eg I saw you fall off the ladder a moment ago. How are you?

Second question: Is it possible between two people:

-Hi Greg. How are you?
-I am not very well today.It's possible, depending on how well I know the peron, but see my comment above. Usually, when I greet someone like this, I would be surprised to receive a list of all their health problems and other difficulties.

or

-Hi Greg. How are you?
-Hi Fiona. How are you? Yes, this is a normal exchange of greetings.

Third: Am I right in thinking that the expression has an idiomatic meaning: "Hello!," and a literal which concerns your physical sensations like headache and also mental sensations, like happines, depression, right? yes. But again, see my comment above. If your doctor asks you this in his examining room, he really wants a detailed answer. If I scarcely know you and I say this on the bus, I'm just saying a polite 'Hello'.

You know it is very important in my culture to enquire about other people's mood and physical state if you meet them. It is a common topic like it is the weather in England. Then am I right in thinking that you must spemd a long time every day in such discussions? Business meetings, for example, must take quite a while.

A further point is that, where I live, I would say that many people are unwillling to discuss details about their mood and physical state with everyone because they see such matters as personal and private.

Best wishes, Clive

Anonymous · Answer

Hello Clive,

I have just wrote it down and another question came up.
If I want to be polite to somebody whose age I do not know, which is (more) polite to say:
Hi or Hello.

Thanks Clive. You really helped me sort out this. Interestingly, I lived in England for more than one year in full ignorance of this information. Better late than never, right?

You wrote:
"I would say that many people are unwillling to discuss details about their mood and physical state with everyone because they see such matters as personal and private."

The same is the case over here between people who are not very intimately acquainted. However, neighbours, colleagues, friends, well-known TV stars on camera often speak about their problems more readily.

You wrote:
"Then am I right in thinking that you must spend a long time every day in such discussions?" Often longer than I find comfortable.

Clive · Answer

Hi,
If I want to be polite to somebody whose age I do not know, which is (more) polite to say:
Hi or Hello.

Here are some personal comments from me on this topic.

I think this is a very culture-dependent question.

For example, I understand from my Korean adult students that age is an extremely important factor in their social interactions. This is much less the case in English-speaking countries. We do have a tradition of respect for older people, but many people, including me, feel that this is weakening very much. Much of our current culture is youth-obsessed and self-absorbed.

'Hi' is generally considered to have originated in N. America, where it is extremely common. My understanding is that its use in Britain is growing. 'Hi' is also informal, so I wouldn't recommend it in situations like a job interview or meeting the Queen.

To try to answer your question specificaly, in a N. American context, I'd say that both 'Hi' and 'Hello' are fine in most cases. Small differences in age do not matter. It's still true that there are some situations where we want to show respect. eg

If I am talking to a very old person, I usually don't say 'Hi'.

At a funeral, I wouldn't say 'Hi' to the widow.

If I meet George Bush (in the next few weeks), I wouldn't say 'Hi', although he probably would.

Generally speaking, if you have doubts about 'Hi', 'Hello' will always be OK.

Best wishes again, Clive

Anonymous · Answer

Hello Clive,

Would I be, or rather, Am I the subject of much mirth if/when I, a middle-aged, said/say to another middle-aged or older ""good bye, good evening, good morning". Are they currently in use in your neck of woods?

In England, they always say "cheers," and especially a certain group of women can say that in a strange tone of voice that kindles sparks in me, really. Similar wailing sound than that of an emergency vehicle ... unparalleled. I have never heard a good morning welcome note from anybody other than me, for which I receive looks that speaks volume: "Who is this? A UFO?" This story I find strange in view of what I was taught in school. Or has this form of welcome been lost in the shuffle?

Best wishes,

Peter

Clive · Answer

Hi,
Would I be, or rather, Am I the subject of much mirth No, if/when I, a middle-aged, said/say to another middle-aged or older ""good bye, good evening, good morning". Are they currently in use in your neck of woods?Yes

In England, they always say "cheers,"Yes, very common. Also used as 'Thank you'. and especially a certain group of women can say that in a strange tone of voice that kindles sparks in me, really. Similar wailing sound than that of an emergency vehicle ... unparalleled. I have never heard a good morning welcome note from anybody other than me, for which I receive looks that speaks volume: "Who is this? A UFO?" This story I find strange in view of what I was taught in school. Or has this form of welcome been lost in the shuffle?

There's certainly quite a wide range of things to say, depending on a lot of factors, eg age, educational level, how well you know the people, social or business, formal or informal, social status.

Clive

Anonymous · Answer

One last question, Clive, if I may:

Do you teach English to ESL students?

Thanks for all the info in this thread.

Clive · Answer

Hi,
Yes, I do.
Clive

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