What is a Greeting?
A greeting is a way of saying hello to someone. It is the first thing we say when we meet a
person. Greetings show respect, friendliness, and kindness. They can be done with words,
actions, or gestures.
For example:
When you see your friend in the morning, you say, “Good morning!”
When you meet someone for the first time, you say, “Nice to meet you!”
When you wave at someone, it is also a greeting.
Types of Greetings
There are different types of greetings based on the situation and the people we are talking
to. Below are the main types:
1. Formal Greetings (Used in professional or respectful situations)
These greetings are used when we talk to teachers, elders, bosses, or strangers. They are
polite and respectful.
Examples of Formal Greetings:
“Good morning, sir.”
“Good afternoon, ma’am.”
“How do you do?” (A very formal way of saying hello)
“It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“Hello, how are you?”
When to Use Formal Greetings?
When talking to teachers, bosses, or older people.
In offices, schools, or formal events.
2. Informal Greetings (Used with friends and family)
These greetings are used with people we know well, like friends, cousins, or classmates.
They are casual and friendly.
Examples of Informal Greetings:
“Hi!”
“Hey!”
“What’s up?”
“How’s it going?”
“Yo!” (Very informal, mostly used by young people)
When to Use Informal Greetings?
When talking to friends, siblings, or classmates.
In casual situations like home, parks, or parties.
3. Verbal Greetings (Greeting with words)
These greetings are spoken when meeting someone.
Examples of Verbal Greetings:
“Good evening!”
“Nice to see you!”
“Long time no see!” (Used when you meet someone after a long time)
“How have you been?”
4. Non-Verbal Greetings (Greeting without words)
Sometimes, we greet people without speaking. Instead, we use body language.
Examples of Non-Verbal Greetings:
Waving (Moving your hand to say hello)
Shaking hands (Used in formal situations or meetings)
Hugging (Used with close friends or family)
Nodding (Moving the head slightly to greet someone)
Saluting (Used by soldiers and officers to greet their seniors)
5. Greetings Based on Time
We use different greetings depending on the time of day.
Examples:
“Good morning!” (Used from sunrise until noon)
“Good afternoon!” (Used from noon until evening)
“Good evening!” (Used in the evening)
“Good night!” (Used when leaving or going to sleep)
6. Cultural Greetings (Different cultures have different greetings)
In different countries and cultures, people greet each other in unique ways.
Examples:
In Pakistan & India: People say “Assalamu Alaikum” and reply with “Wa Alaikum Assalam.”
In China: People say “Nǐ hǎo” (你好) to greet each other.
In France: People say “Bonjour!”
In Japan: People bow to show respect.
In Western countries: A handshake is common.
7. Special Occasion Greetings
These greetings are used during festivals, birthdays, or celebrations.
Examples:
“Happy Birthday!” (For birthdays)
“Merry Christmas!” (For Christmas)
“Happy Eid Mubarak!” (For Eid)
“Happy New Year!” (For New Year)
“Congratulations!” (For special achievements)
Why Are Greetings Important?
They show respect and kindness.
They help us start conversations.
They make people feel welcome and happy.
They help in building good relationships.
Conclusion
Greetings are the first step in communication. They can be formal or informal, spoken or
unspoken, and can change based on time, culture, or situation. Knowing how to greet
people properly makes you polite and well-mannered.
How to Start and Finish a Conversation
A conversation is when two or more people talk to each other. To have a good conversation, we
need to know how to start and finish it properly. Let’s learn step by step with simple examples.
1. How to Start a Conversation
Starting a conversation means greeting someone and beginning to talk. A good start makes the
other person feel comfortable.
Steps to Start a Conversation
A. Greet the Person
When you meet someone, always greet them. This shows respect and friendliness.
• Formal greetings (for teachers, elders, or new people):
o "Good morning, sir/madam!"
o "Hello, how are you?"
• Informal greetings (for friends and family):
o "Hi! What's up?"
o "Hey! How are you?"
Example:
Ali sees his teacher and starts a conversation:
Ali: "Good morning, sir! How are you today?"
Teacher: "Good morning, Ali! I'm fine, thank you. How about you?"
B. Ask a Simple Question
After greeting, ask a friendly question to keep the conversation going.
• With a teacher or elder:
o "How has your day been?"
o "I wanted to ask you something about my studies."
• With a friend:
o "What are you doing these days?"
o "Did you watch the match yesterday?"
Example:
Sara meets her friend Aisha at the market.
Sara: "Hi Aisha! How are you?"
Aisha: "I'm good! What about you?"
Sara: "I'm fine. What are you doing here?"
Aisha: "Just buying some groceries. And you?"
Sara: "Same here!"
2. How to Finish a Conversation
Ending a conversation properly is as important as starting it. A good ending makes the other
person feel respected.
Steps to Finish a Conversation
A. Give a Closing Statement
Say something that shows you need to leave.
• With a teacher or elder:
o "Thank you for your time, sir/madam."
o "It was nice talking to you!"
• With a friend:
o "Okay, I have to go now."
o "Talk to you later!"
Example:
Ali finishes his talk with his teacher:
Ali: "Thank you for your advice, sir! I’ll see you tomorrow."
Teacher: "You're welcome, Ali! See you tomorrow."
B. Say Goodbye
A polite goodbye makes the ending smooth.
• Formal goodbyes:
o "Goodbye, sir/madam!"
o "See you later!"
• Informal goodbyes:
o "Bye! Take care!"
o "See you soon!"
Example:
Sara and Aisha are leaving the market.
Sara: "Okay, Aisha, I have to go now."
Aisha: "Alright! Take care, see you soon!"
Sara: "You too! Bye!"
Final Tips
• Always smile while greeting and saying goodbye.
• Use polite words like "please," "thank you," and "excuse me."
• Listen carefully to the other person.
By following these steps, anyone can have a good conversation.
Prepared by:Aimal khan(Mphil English)
