始めまして has been fading away in my observation. If you use 始 instead of 初, someone could point out. 始める : start 「始めて」まだ一年しか経っていません。It's been only 1 year「since I got started.」 「始めまして」まだ一年しか経っていません。 (the polite way of saying the above.) 初 : beginning 初めて : at first, for the first time 初めまして : (the polite way of saying the above) > It's established as the greeting, which is said when people first meet someone. Hope this helps.

Hi. 初めまして and 始めまして are both right in Japanese dictionary. But usually we use 初めまして for how do you do. Also はじめまして is right. Normally we use 初 means first and 始 means begining or start.

We might use both but I prefer to use 初めまして. I have used it for a long time though I didnt know why. I thought it was because my Japanse sense told so but I checked my Japanse dictionary to confirm the truth. My dictionary says 初め emphasizes the begining of the time and 始め stress the begining of the event. We use 始め　as in verbs like 始める or 始まる which means to start or begin something. We dont use 初める and 初まる as verb. So if you use 始めまして, I will feel that you started something or you and I will do something together after greeting. If you mean you met someone you've never met before and wanted to say how do you do or nice to meet you, I think you should use 初めまして. Dose this make sense? I hope this would help you.

i don't know,maybe it's used to greet people at the first time.