Greetings

Englishmen say "How do you do?" to a person when formally introduced or when they meet him for the first time. This formula may be used at almost any time of day.

They say this without expecting any answer, except "How do you do?", and they don’t shake hands.

They say "Good morning!" to people they know little or when their greeting is more formal. This formula is used before lunch.

To those they know very well, they say simply "Morning!"

They say "Good afternoon!" to people they don’t know well between lunch time and tea time.

They say "Good evening!" to people they do in know very well after 6 p.m.

To those they know we they may just say "Evening!"

The proper universal informal greeting is "Hello”.

This formula is usually used with the first name.

After this informal or friendly greeting often comes the question "How are you?"