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What is the proper way to greet someone in business?

Sheila A. Anderson
Certified Image Consultant & International Branding Icon
Sheila A. Anderson is a Certified Image Consultant, International Branding Icon, and the Founder of Image Power Play, an impression management and personal branding company. With over three decades of experience, she specializes in empowering corporate professionals to raise their personal image to meet the value of their brand. Sheila is a Certified Image Consultant with The Image Resource Network and a Certified Universal Style Consultant with The Universal Style International. Sheila is a member of the C-Suite Network Advisors and the author of the book, I.C.U., The Comprehensive Guide to Breathing Life Back Into Your Personal Brand.

Sheila A. Anderson

Certified Image Consultant & International Branding Icon

Expert Answer

Being more formal will serve you better in a business environment. Try talking about the future, so the business associate imagines a future with you and your business in it. You might say, "Hello, Thomas, it's so nice to meet you. I'm looking forward to our business relationship."

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Question

What do you say to a stranger you just met at an event?

Sheila A. Anderson
Certified Image Consultant & International Branding Icon
Sheila A. Anderson is a Certified Image Consultant, International Branding Icon, and the Founder of Image Power Play, an impression management and personal branding company. With over three decades of experience, she specializes in empowering corporate professionals to raise their personal image to meet the value of their brand. Sheila is a Certified Image Consultant with The Image Resource Network and a Certified Universal Style Consultant with The Universal Style International. Sheila is a member of the C-Suite Network Advisors and the author of the book, I.C.U., The Comprehensive Guide to Breathing Life Back Into Your Personal Brand.

Sheila A. Anderson

Certified Image Consultant & International Branding Icon

Expert Answer

Be sure to make eye contact and offer a smile. At a casual event, you might say something like "Hi, it's nice to meet you!" At a business event, you could say, "Hello, it's certainly a pleasure to meet you."

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Question

How do you greet someone on the street?

Sheila A. Anderson
Certified Image Consultant & International Branding Icon
Sheila A. Anderson is a Certified Image Consultant, International Branding Icon, and the Founder of Image Power Play, an impression management and personal branding company. With over three decades of experience, she specializes in empowering corporate professionals to raise their personal image to meet the value of their brand. Sheila is a Certified Image Consultant with The Image Resource Network and a Certified Universal Style Consultant with The Universal Style International. Sheila is a member of the C-Suite Network Advisors and the author of the book, I.C.U., The Comprehensive Guide to Breathing Life Back Into Your Personal Brand.

Sheila A. Anderson

Certified Image Consultant & International Branding Icon

Expert Answer

Make eye contact and smile if you pass by someone on the street. You can even add a verbal "hello" or "hi."

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How do I know if I say "hi" or "how are you" when greeting someone?

Community Answer

If you really can't decide which one of these greeting options to use, just use both. For example, you could say, "Hi, how are you?" or "Hi, how's it going?"

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Question

Should I shake hands to greet a boy I want to be friends with if I am a 15-year-old girl? Or will that make things awkward?

Community Answer

You could, although shaking hands upon introduction isn't as common for teens as for adults. Perhaps you might approach him and simply smile and introduce yourself instead.

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Question

How do I introduce myself to other people?

Community Answer

Start with a hello or a compliment, and remember to always smile.

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Question

Who greets first in a private setting, the man or woman?

Community Answer

As I understand it, in most social situations it is typically expected that a man will greet first. However, it is becoming more and more common for women to greet first/initiate conversation. So really, it depends more on the social situation you're in and less on gender.

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Question

How can I greet someone when I want to ask them to play with me?

Community Answer

You could just say hello, tell them your name, and ask them if they'd like to play with you.

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Question

Can I hug a person when greeting them?

Community Answer

Yes! You should try to make sure it's appropriate for the situation though. A hug isn't always the right way to go. (For example, you wouldn't want to hug someone who was interviewing you for a new job.)

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Question

How do I greet a customer in a restaurant?

Community Answer

If you work in a chain restaurant, the management may have something specific they would like you to say. Otherwise, you can just say, "Hi, welcome to [restaurant's name]."

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Question

How do I greet a stranger at the door?

Community Answer

Smile, say hi, and ask what you can help them with.

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Question

How do I reply to someone when they reply back to my greeting?

Community Answer

Ask them question like, "How is your morning/day/evening going so far?" or simply, "How's it going?" Listen to what they say after that and ask some follow up questions.

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Question

What are the advanced English structures to introduce one another in a conversation?

Community Answer

Check the tips in Greet in English .

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Question

Why do I need to greet people?

Community Answer

It's polite. However, it's only really necessary if you want to talk to a stranger or if your friends/relatives introduce you to new people.

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Question

Is there a right way and a wrong way to greet people? Explain.

Community Answer

That may depend on how people in diffrent countries greet each other. What could be the right way in your country could be the wrong way to greet someone in a different country. Then again, think about how you would like someone to greet you.

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Question

How do I introduce myself to an adult when I’m a kid?

Community Answer

Be polite. Say something like, "Hello Mr./Ms. [their last name], how are you today? My name is [your name]."

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Question

What topics should I avoid talking about when greeting people?

Community Answer

It really depends on the situation, but generally speaking, if you don't know someone well, don't bring up religion or politics or anything else that is potentially controversial. Keep the conversation light.

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Question

What is the appropriate greeting when the hostess in a restaurant answers the telephone?

Community Answer

Say the restaurant’s name and "how may I help you?"

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