Greeting

1.              What is Greeting?

            In everyday conversation, there are expressions commonly used to start, and end a conversation. Sentence commonplace greeting used to begin a conversation. Meanwhile, to end a conversation, the phrase commonly used is the sentence before saying goodbye and closing.

            Greetingis an act of communicationin which human beings (as well as other members of the animal kingdom) intentionallymake their presence known to each other, to show attention to, and to suggest a type of relationship or social statusbetween individuals or groups of people coming in contact with each other. While greeting customsare highly culture- and situation-specific and may change within a culture depending on social status and relationship, they exist in all known human cultures. Greetings can be expressed both audibly and physically, and often involve a combination of the two. This topic excludes military and ceremonial salutesbut includes rituals other than gestures. Greetings are often, but not always, used just prior to a conversation. Some epochs and cultures have had very elaborate greeting rituals, e.g., greeting of a king. Secret societieshave clandestine greeting rituals that allow members to recognize common membership.

2.              Greeting Gestures

Denis Thatcher, husband of former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Margaret Thatcher, greets former American First LadyNancy Reaganby kissing her hand, 1988.

Beyond the formal greeting, which may involve a verbal acknowledgment and sometimes a hand shake, facial expression, gestures, body language and eye contact can all signal what type of greeting is expected. Gestures are the most obvious signal, for instance greeting someone with open arms is generally a sign that a hug is expected. Facial expression, body language and eye contact reflect emotions and interest level. A frown, slouching and lowered eye contact suggests disinterest, while smiling and an exuberant attitude is a sign of welcome.

3.              Sample Greeting Dialogue

—   A: "Hi, my name is Steve. It's nice to meet you. "

—   B: "I'm Jack. It's a pleasure to meet you, Steve. "

—   A: "What do you do for a living Jack?"

—   B: "I work at the bank."

—   A: "What is your name?"

—   B: "Jackson."

—   A: "What was That again?"

—   A: "Hey John, how have you been?"

—   B: "What a surprise. I have not seen you in a long time. How have you been? "

—   A: "I'm doing very well. How about you? "

—   B: "I finally have some free time. I just finished taking a big examination, and I'm so relieved that I'm done with it. "

—   A: "Andy, it's been a long time, how are you man?"

—   B: "What a surprise. I have not seen you in a long time. How have you been? "

—   A: "Do you come to this restaurant Often?"

—   B: "I've been here a couple of times, but I do not come on a regular basis."