Escuela de Ciencias del Lenguaje

Sección de Lenguas para Fines Generales y Académicos

Inglés con Fines Generales y Académicos I

Greetings around the world

Unit 1: My life, my preferences and alternatives
Skills involved: Reading, speaking, listening
EGP: Greetings
EAP: Using reading strategies (skimming, scanning, reading images); presenting simple
oral reports
Grammar & Vocab.: Present simple.
Task: Reporting how people greet in other cultures and how these gestures are changing
during the Covid-19 pandemic
Time (approx): 3 hours

Pre-task
1. Discuss with your class:
a. How do you greet your friends?
b. What type of greetings do you know in English?
c. Do you greet everyone in the same way? Explain.
d. What do you know about how people of other cultures greet each other?

2. Reading in groups:
Your teacher will divide your class into rooms. Read the passage you are given, discuss with
your classmate and then report to the whole class.

Common English Greetings and Expressions

You probably already know “hello” and “how are you?” However, English speakers don’t always
say “hello” and “how are you?” They also use many other English greetings and expressions to say
slightly different things. You can also use such English greetings to sound more natural, and also
to express yourself more clearly and precisely.

1. Hey, Hey man, or Hi

You can use “hey” and “hi” to greet someone instead of “hello”. Both are particularly popular
among younger people. While “hi” is appropriate to use in any casual situation, “hey” is for people
who have already met. Remember that “hey” doesn’t always mean “hello”. “Hey” can also be used
to call for someone’s attention.

2. How’s it going? or How are you doing?

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These are casual ways of asking “how are you?” If you’re trying to be particularly polite, stick with
“how are you?” but otherwise, you can use these expressions to greet almost anyone. You can
answer with “it’s going well” or “I’m doing well” depending on the question. Most people just
answer “good” – and you can too.

3. What’s up?, What’s new?, or What’s going on?

These are some other informal ways of asking “how are you?” which are typically used to casually
greet someone you have met before. Most people answer with “nothing” or “not much”.

4. How’s everything ?How are things? or How’s life?

These are some other common ways of asking “how are you?” They can be used to casually greet
anyone, but most often they’re used to greet someone you already know. To these, you can answer
“good” or “not bad”.

5. How’s your day? or How’s your day going?

These questions mean “how are you?”. You can answer “it’s going well although many people
simply answer with “fine”, “good” or “alright”. By the way, notice that “good”, “fine” or “not bad”
are perfect answers to almost any greeting question.

6. Good to see you or Nice to see you

These casual greetings are used with friends, co-workers or family members that you haven’t seen
in a while. It’s common for close friends to hug when they greet each other, particularly if they
haven’t seen each other in some time; so you might use this greeting along with a hug or
handshake depending on your relationship with the person.

7. Long time no see or It’s been a while

These casual greetings are used when you haven’t seen someone in a long time, particularly if you
meet that person unexpectedly.

Business Greetings and Formal Greetings

It’s best to begin by using formal greetings in most business situations, and then listen to how
your co-workers or business partners greet you. It’s a good idea to wait until someone speaks
casually with you before you speak casually with them. You may find that people will begin to use
casual greetings with you over time, as you get to know each other better. Formal greetings are
also used when you meet older people.

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8. Good morning, Good afternoon, or Good evening

These are formal ways of saying “hello”, which change depending on the time of day. Keep in
mind that “good night” is only used to say “good bye”, so if you meet someone late in the day,
remember to greet them with “good evening”, rather than “good night”. Good morning can be
made more casual by simply saying “morning”. You can also use “afternoon” or “evening” as
informal greetings, but these are less commonly used.

9. It’s nice to meet you or Pleased to meet you

These greetings are formal and polite. If you say this to someone when you meet him or her for
the first time, it will make you seem courteous.

10. How do you do?

This greeting is VERY formal, and quite uncommon, but it may still be used by some older people.
The proper response is “I’m doing well” or, as strange as it seems, some people even ask “how do
you do?” right back as an answer.

Slang English Greetings

Slang greetings are extremely informal and should only be used with people that you know very
well and feel very comfortable with. Keep in mind that a lot of slang is regional, and using
Australian slang, for example, in America can sound quite strange. You’ll need to learn the local
slang wherever you are, but these common examples will help you get started.

11. Yo!

This extremely informal greeting is common in America. It comes from 1990’s hip-hop slang and
these days it’s often used jokingly. This greeting should only be used with very close friends, and
never in a business setting.

12. Are you OK?, You alright?, or Alright mate?

This casual way of asking both “hello” and “how are you” is common in Britain. You can respond
“yeah, fine”, or simply “alright”.

13. Howdy!

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This is a very informal abbreviation of “how do you do?” that is common in certain parts of Canada
and the U.S. Keep in mind that if you say “howdy” outside of these regions, you will sound like a
cowboy, and it might make the other person laugh.

14. Sup? or Whazzup?

These greetings are abbreviations of “what’s up?” which are common among teenagers. Like with
“what’s up?” you can answer “nothing” or “not much”.

15. G’day mate!

This casual greeting is an Australian abbreviation of “good day”. Keep in mind that Australian
greetings often use “ya” instead of “you”. So “how are ya?” is the same as “how are you?”, and “how
are ya going?” is basically the same as “how’s it going?” or “how are you doing?”

16. Hiya!

This greeting, short for “how are you?”, is commonly used in certain parts of England. However,
you don’t need to actually answer this question – you can just say “hey!” right back.

I hope you enjoy trying out these new English greetings. You’ll find that greeting people in
different ways will help your English sound more natural, and it might even make English
greetings more fun and interesting for you.

3. Formal and informal greetings:

In summary, look at the different ways people can greet each other.

Formal Greetings

Sample sentence Sample response

Hello, Mr. Jones Hello.

Hello, teacher. Hello.

Good morning. Good morning.

Good afternoon. Good afternoon.

Good evening. Good evening.

How are you? Fine, thank you.

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 How do you do? Very well, thank you.

How are you doing? Pretty well, thank you.

Informal Greetings

Sample sentence Sample response

Hey, Hi. Hey, Hi.

How are ya? I’m great.

Couldn't be better.
I’m good.
I’m all right.

How are things? Pretty good.

How are things going? Can’t complain.

How’s it going? Not bad. How about you?

What’s up? Nothing much.

What’s new? Not a whole lot.
What are you up to? Nothing.
What’s going on? Nothing special. Not much

Long time no see. It has been a long time.

4. Video activity:

a. Watch the video in the link below several times and repeat the greetings for oral practice.
Then, rehearse with a classmate, a relative at home or a friend.
https://www.onlinemathlearning.com/greetings.html

b. Listen to the audio and practice.

https://www.englishclub.com/speaking/greetings-passing.htm

During task
5. Reading and presenting:

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 a. Your teacher will present information with greetings around the world. Select one country
that calls your attention.
b. Read the information carefully. What country is this information from? How do they greet?
Take five minutes to read and prepare to share this information orally with the rest of the
class.
c. Listen to your classmates’ brief reports about greetings in different cultures and fill in the
chart below.

Country/Region Greeting
and much of Europe Kiss on each cheek
Germany A firm handshake
Japan Bow (The bow is the standard greeting in Japan. )
Thailand Press your hands together and slightly bow

Brazil Kiss closely one to three times

Saudi Arabia Touch noses(I While a kiss can be intimate but a nose, a “nose” is
merely a handshake using other means, right?)
Argentina: A hug and kiss on the cheek
India Place your palms together and say “Namaste
Tibet Sticking your tongue out
China Bow or shake hands

d. Classify the greetings according to their convenience during Covid-19 times:

Low-risk greetings that keep social distancing Greetings that pose high risk of infection

● Tibet ● Saudi Arabia

● Japan ● and much of Europe
● China ● Argentina:

Post task:

6. Conversation:
- Get in groups of four and create a first meeting dialogue where you´re going to practice the
formal and informal expressions for greeting and meeting someone, according to the situation.
Based on the information given along the text and videos.
- Join the rest of the group and play the dialogue.

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 7. Reading:
You will read a text similar about other ways people around the world are saying hello. Before
you read the text, look at the key words below.
Key words:

● spread: propagación
● bump: golpe suave
● upward: hacia arriba
● bend: inclinarse
● bow: agachar la cabeza, hacer una reverencia
● prayers: oraciones
● weapon: arma
● monk: monje
● handshake: apretón de manos
● in-laws: familia política
● cup your hands: ahuecar las manos
● squat down: agacharse, acuclillarse
● elders: personas mayores, más viejas
● boundaries: límites

a. Read the text below and answer the questions.

The namaste and other contactless cultural greetings may be safer alternatives to handshakes
during the coronavirus pandemic.

PHOTOGRAPH BY ROBERT NICKELSBERG, GETTY IMAGES

Five ways people around the world say hello—without touching

From the Thai wai to the Zambian cup-and-clap, these no-contact salutes express respect and welcome.

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To prevent the spread of coronavirus, people around the world are changing their handshakes, hugs, and
hongi (a traditional Maori greeting with noses) for lower-risk gestures such as foot bumps and air high-
fives. The current COVID-19 crisis is influencing ways people connect, but for some cultures, no-
contact greetings already exist and are the result of very old traditions rather than pandemic protocol.

Namaste from India to Nepal

Maybe you hear the phrase “namaste” accompanied by a mudra (gesture) of upward-pointing, pressed-
together palms in Western pop culture. But in the western society, it is often separated from its cultural
and spiritual context.

The term namaste translates to “bend or bow to you,” and its history dates back several thousands of
years, says Divya L. Selvakumar, a Hindu Indian American and the founder of the American Hindu
World Service. Doing namaste is considered to be a sign of respect and gratitude.

The wai in Thailand

As an influence of Hinduism and Buddhism, the standard greeting across Thailand, the wai, also
involves a gentle bow of the head with one’s hands pressed together in front.

“Many Hindus and Buddhists say prayers with their hands pressed together, using the wai,” says
Amporn Marddent, an expert on cultural studies at Walailak University. “But the history of the wai also
comes from the greeting to show that we are very open, we do not carry any kind of weapon, and we
come in peace.”

To express a higher level of respect, use a deeper bow and place your hands higher: pressed hands at
chest level for a standard greeting; face level for a colleague, elder, or a superior; hairline level for a
monk. And if you travel to Thailand and see the King, bow deeply and place your pressed hands high—
thumbs at the top of your head.

Bowing in Japan

Bowing was introduced to Japan in the seventh century from China. It originated to show the class
difference...so that the person bowing would be bending the body to make themselves seem shorter.

Mika White, a marketing expert, says that the Japanese bow has evolved into the modern bow, “when
you bow now, you can keep your feet planted on the ground, but, in the past, Japanese bows were made
from a seated position. The key component of the Japanese bow, lowering the head to a degree that
matches your intended message, remains intact”.

Cup and clap in Zambia

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Shaking hands is common in Zambia. But you can also communicate without physical contact. To say a
simple hello, cup your hands together and clap a couple of times while saying “mulibwanji” (meaning
“hello,” used any time of the day) or “mwakabwanji” (good morning).

If you’re meeting in-laws, while cupping your hands in the same way as the general hello, squat down
low and clap in this position. Lowering your body while greeting expresses greater respect.

When you meet other elders, you can say hello by placing a hand on your chest and stomach and
bending your legs slightly.

The salaam of Islam

Many “salaams” (greetings) involve touch and it’s common within Muslim communities for members of
the same gender or family to greet one another with a handshake, hug, and multiple cheek-side kisses,
but physical contact isn’t a requirement.

A no-contact salaam shows respect for the personal boundaries or the religious or cultural values of the
person you are greeting as well as for everyone’s health during the pandemic. You can do as many
Muslims do and simply put your right hand to your heart when greeting. (606 words)

Adapted from:
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/2020/03/ways-people-around-world-say-hello-without-touching-
coronavirus/

Reading Techniques

a. Skimming: Skimming is reading a text rapidly, in order to get the gist,

the basic overall idea, rather than concentrating on absorbing all the
details. For instance, many people skim read a newspaper article just to
get a quick overview, or a text could be skimmed to see if it's worth reading in detail. This
strategy helps us to get a general idea of the text.

You skim read a text when you:

● Read the title, subtitles and subheadings to find out what the text is about.
● Look at the illustrations to give you more information about the topic.
● Reading the first and last sentence of each paragraph.
● Don’t read every word or every sentence and look out for key words.
● Continue to think about the meaning of the text.

Let's practice!

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What is the text about? Skim the picture, the caption, the title and the headings. What is this article
mainly about? Write your answer and share it with the class

-The text is culture of the different greetings of the world before covid-19

Scanning:

Scanning is a quick look at the text to find specific information. When scanning, the reader looks for
specific facts rather than trying to absorb all the information. A good example is when you are reading
a timetable. Generally, you want specific information and look for something specific that is convenient
for your journey plan. Some tips for better scanning, are:

● Don’t try to read every word. Instead let your eyes move quickly across the page until you find what
you’re looking for.
● Use clues on the page, such as headings and titles, to help you. • In a dictionary or phone book, use
the header words to help you scan. You can find these in bold type at the top of each page.
● If you’re reading for study, start by thinking up or writing down some questions that you want to
answer. Doing this can focus your mind and help you find the facts or information that you need
more easily.
● Many texts list things in alphabetical order from A to Z. These include everyday materials, such as
the phone book or indexes to books and catalogues.
● There are many ways to practice scanning skills. Try looking up the playlist of your favorite group
or singer or scan web pages on the internet to find specific information.

Let's practice!

Look for the following information in the text.

1. One region where Namaste has been removed from its spiritual origin is:

Asian culture- Nepal

2. Two uses of the Thai wai are:

The two uses. Are:
greet and pra
3. The key component of the Japanese bow is: - - The key component of the Japanese bow is lowering
the head to a degree that matches the intended message, remains intact, salute
4. You show respect to your relatives when greeting them in Zambia by- Put your hands together and
clap

5. How do you usually say hello to elders in Zambia?- you can say hello by placing a hand on your
chest and stomach and bending your legs slightly.

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6. What does a greeting mean for a culture? - tradition, culture, history of a region or country

c. Now, complete the reading comprehension exercise in this Google form.

https://forms.gle/Q53HWbBur2t1WsHf8

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Annex: Greeting in different countries

Italy, Spain, and Portugal: Kiss on each cheek

Edw/Shuttershock

A quick kiss on each cheek — usually right, then left, though reversed in Italy — will suffice in
Italy, Spain, Portugal, and much of Europe. Most of the time, rather than kissing, it's common
to brush cheeks and make a kissing sound.

Germany: A firm handshake

suedhang/Getty Images

Most Germans don’t like cheeky introductions. In fact, they hate it so much they've tried to
abolish it. They shake hands. For them, it’s more efficient.

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Japan: Bow

Dave & Les Jacobs/Getty Images

The bow is the standard greeting in Japan. Depending on the formalities, bows differ in
duration, declination, and style. Among friends, the bow is delicate, but it’s not the same with
elders.

France: Kiss on the cheeks three or four times

Yellow Dog Productions/Getty Images

In France the cheek-to-cheek — or cheek-to-cheek-to-cheek — kiss is as regional as the

country’s wines. Paris, the standard is two, and, on Corsica, they're practically making out with
five kisses.

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The Netherlands, Belgium, and Switzerland: Kiss three times
from right to left to right

Shuttershock

People who don’t know each other well stick to handshakes and uncomfortable silence, but, if
you're friends, you'll kiss three times: right-left-right.

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Thailand: Press your hands together and slightly bow

Hugh Sitton/Getty Images

There's only one correct way — or wai — to greet in Thailand, and that's to press your hands
together in a prayer like fashion and slightly bow to your acquaintance.

Brazil: Kiss closely one to three times

Mario Tama/Getty Images

Depending on the region, Brazilians will kiss one to three times; however, the single ladies
tend to give an extra kiss.

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The United Kingdom: A handshake

Tom Merton/Getty Images

A handshake, preferably with little eye contact and some incoherent mumbling, is ideal in
London and Great Britain.

Saudi Arabia: Touch noses

Katarina Premfors/Getty Images

In Saudi Arabia, and a number of Persian Gulf countries, the go-to greeting isn't a handshake
or kiss on the cheek, but rather it's touching noses. While a kiss can be intimate but a nose, a
“nose” is merely a handshake using other means, right?

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Greece: A kiss and a slap on the back

Jupiterimages/Getty Images

Nothing says “nice to meet you” quite like getting slapped on the back. At least Greeks tend to
give two kisses to ease the pain.

Argentina: A hug and kiss on the cheek

PhotoAlto/Sigrid Olsson/Getty Images

Male, female, old, young, it doesn't matter: Whether you want one or not, you’re getting a hug
and a kiss on the cheek.

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India: Place your palms together and say “Namaste"

James Morgan/Getty Images

Most westerners get a handshake, but, if you're looking to seem less touristy, it’s all
about Namaste — something yogis might remember. Place your palms together like a prayer,
tilt your head forward, and say “Namaste,” which means, “adoration to you.”

China: Bow or shake hands

BJI/Blue Jean Images/Getty Images

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In formal settings, the Chinese bow, but, in recent years handshakes have become the norm.
When introducing yourself, don't be surprised if you're expected to list your profession and the
company for which you work. It's normal.

United States: Handshake, fist bump, hug, or wave

AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty

There's the handshake, fist bump (Thanks, Obama), hug, bro-hug, “the nod,” and the ever-
endearing, half-excited wave. Take your pick.

The Philippines: Mano

When greeting elders, take their hand and press their knuckles against your forehead as a sign of
respect.

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Tibet: Sticking your tongue out

This tradition dates back to the 9th century and references

the Tibetan king Lang Darma, who was known for his evil ways and had a black tongue. People still
greet each other this way today.

This tradition dates back to the 9th century and references the Tibetan king Lang Darma, who was
known for his evil ways and had a black tongue. People still greet each other this way today.

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