Japanese greeting I often hear "How are you?" In Japanese from you guys, but the greeting is English style. I mean we, Japanese people don't say "How are you?" In Japanese. We only say "Hello". After

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Hiromu

Japanese greeting I often hear "How are you?" In Japanese from you guys, but the greeting is English style. I mean we, Japanese people don't say "How are you?" In Japanese. We only say "Hello". After say hello, sometimes we say "It's hot/cold, today." to continue the conversation. When I started to learn English, I thought why they ask the physical condition. And I said "You're not a doctor" in my mind lol

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When people say 'how are you?' in Englissh they don't actually care or want a detailled answer, its just something to start a conversation. It would be very weird if you started telling the other person if you are having problems or something, its just a social convention to say 'how are you?' Simply saying fine/ok/good is the way to respond. e.g. Person A "Hi, how are you?" Person B "I'm fine, how are you?" Person A "I'm good." And then you carry on the conversation as normal.

Hi! There are both 'how are you?' and 'hi!' for greetings here in Russia. But usually to say 'hello' or 'hi' is enough. 'How are you?' is not necessary to say every time.

Not only English style. Many other cultures have the same tradition. Before starting a little talk, we would like to learn if there is an important matter which our partner wants to discuss.

Japanese greeting

I often hear "How are you?" in Japanese from you guys Americans,(foreigners?) but the greeting is English style. I mean we, (Japanese people) don't say "How are you?" in Japanese. We only say "Hello". After say hello, sometimes we say "It's hot/cold, today." to continue the conversation. When I started to learn English, I thought why would (past tense) they ask about the physical condition. And in my mind I say "You're not a doctor" in my mind lol

I hope this helps! This is interesting! I never thought about it. We say how are you to start a conversation. It is the same thing when Japanese or Korean foreigners would say they have an appointment to go to when they really mean they have plans or meeting with someone. I would think "They have to go to the doctor a lot".

Don't think of it as the person somewhat trying to be a doctor, but simply being polite in asking how you are! Its just casual to ask that nowadays, but more to people you know.

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