Meetings & Greetings

A.

A greeting is what we say when we meet our friends and people who are close to us. E.g.: Good Morning. It is customary to greet people when you meet them. Some say “Good Morning”, “Good Evening” etc., and others say “Hello”, or “Hi”. Whatever be the form of greetings, it immediately dissolves barriers between two persons and creates a feeling of oneness. Learn the habit of greeting people

“Good Morning”, Good Afternoon” and “Good Evening” are considered as formal greetings. “Hello” and “Hi” are considered as informal and at the same time the best forms of greeting which is acceptable in most situations. A replay to these can be either “Hi” or “Hello” or if you wish you can use the added pleasantry “How are you?” And the response to “How are you?” should be “Fine, thanks you, How are you?” and nothing more than this.

When you greet someone who is in bad health, don’t ask, “How are you?” Instead you can ask, “Hello, How are you feeling today?

Now onwards, whenever you meet or part with someone, say a suitable word groups from the ones given in section C.

B.

Read the Small Conversation text (given below) several times. Focus on fluency until it feels smooth. If possible record the conversation and listen to it. Re-record until you are satisfied with the fluency. While reading it is advisable to read like: ‘GoodmorningMary” as if there is no space in between the words ‘Good, Morning and Mary’.

John: Good Morning, Mary.

Mary: Hello, Good Morning John, How are you?

John: Fine, thank you, and you John?

Mary: I’m OK, Thanks.

C.

Now read the following word groups aloud several times. Please don’t try to learn by-heart. Your sub-conscious mind will do that job, even without your knowledge, and rush onto your tongue whenever required. Yes, your job is just to read these word groups aloud several times.

Good Morning            (Morning to 1 Noon)

Good Morning Mr. George

Good Afternoon         (1Noon to 5 PM)

Good Evening             (5PM to 11 in the night)

Hello John, how are you?

Hello John, how are you?

Hello George!

Hi!

Very well, thank you, and you?

I’m fine.

I’m glad to see you!

It’s my pleasure!

It’s been a long time since we met!

I’ve heard a lot about you!

Look, who is it? Who is here?

Are you surprised to see me?

How’s everything?

What a nice surprise!

Hi, Peter! What are you doing here?

Hello (“Where are you going?”)

Hello, (in response) how are you?

What is your name?

It’s nice to see you again!

How nice to see you again!

How is your mother?

D

Exercise: Use your dictionary (Only English – English Dictionary) and write down the meaning of the words given below:

On wards____________________________

Suitable______________________________

Several ______________________________

Advisable_____________________________

Pleasure______________________________

Surprised_____________________________

Vocabulary___________________________

Familiarity____________________________