1. Formal Greetings vs Informal Greetings:
![](https://nappot.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/pexels-nicole-michalou-5764895-1024x683.jpg)
First of all, let’s agree that there are two types of greetings, formal and informal greeting, but it’s clear that the formal greeting has its own usage, with specific people in specific situations.
However, an informal conversation is a casual daily conversation that mostly everyone is using, we use informal conversation almost everywhere. For example, we use it when we purchase our daily goods, when we meet with our friends, and especially at home.
This article is going to clear up the differences between formal greetings and informal greetings, also it will include Small Talk strategies (Formal vs Informal Small Talk). So, as always bring your cup of coffee, and let’s start.
Greetings:
Generally, we have two types of greeting first is a formal greeting and the second is an informal greeting.
Formal Greeting:
Even though greetings such as, good morning, good afternoon good evening goodnight, are very famous.
However when you use these greeting, you are demonstrating, how polite and formal you as a person are.
These greetings have a time scale, which should be followed, for example:
- Starting with “Good Morning”, can be used anytime in the morning about noon.
- After noontime, you should be using “Good Afternoon” as a greeting, however, this one can be used up until 5:00 PM.
- From 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM things might be a bit weird, because this interval of time does not fit in any category, so it’s better to just say “Hello”.
- After 7:00 PM you can use “Good Evening” Notice that you can use this greeting until 10:00 PM.
- As for “Goodnight”: it’s not really considered a greeting. Usually, we use goodnight to refer to Goodbye, or when you wish someone a good night before leaving.
Read more about formal-expressions
Informal Greeting:
However, on the other side synonyms like “Hello” and “Hi” are usually used between family and friends, unlike French people, Western English countries do not kiss as a form of greeting.
Sometimes you will see some women kissing each other. still it’s not the usual thing. As for men, this sort of greeting might be a bit strange.
Yet between family members, and close friends, greeting might be a bit warm with some hugs and kisses on the cheek only, this also depends on the occasion.
There is nothing specific about an informal greeting, so usually casual hi or hello will do the trick.
The same thing when you are leaving, you might just say “Bye”, “See Yall”, “Take Care”, “Goodbye”, “See You Soon”, “Goodnight”, etc. as you can see nothing specific.
Here is an article on how-to-write-a-formal-email Properly.
2. Small Talk strategies (Formal vs Informal Small Talk):
Some important Etiquette on how to open a conversation, using the correct small talk topics, usually classify you in the polite or rude category.
Therefore, you will be learning how to open a conversation using a small talk strategy. more importantly, you’ll be learning, how to differentiate between formal and informal small talk.
Small Talk:
Normally, when people meet each other and before start talking about any professional topic, they usually have a short conversation which will reflect how polite you are.
These small conversations may just be about the weather, asking about themselves, or how they are dealing with the day so far.
Therefore, you should be aware of the fact that there are formal small talks and informal small talks. so let’s begin with the Formal one.
![](https://nappot.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/pexels-photo-7441079-1-1024x682.jpeg)
Formal Small Talk:
It is usually very simple, you may just start with a formal greeting, simply asking about the person you’re talking to. For instance: “Good morning, Sir. How are you doing today?”
Please note that if you do not reply to this question, you will be considered impolite. So to avoid such a judgment from others, you can for example just say:
- “I am good, thank you.”, or “Fine, thank you.”.
In return don’t forget to ask them back about themselves, with this simple question: “and you?”.
Bear in mind that it is considered strange to express your true feeling to a stranger, You don’t need to share whether you are happy, sad, or angry about something.
You should always remember that this is a formal relationship, and certainly, the person you are talking to doesn’t care about your emotional situation.
The only thing they care about is the business or the service that they are there for. so keep your private matters out of the conversation.
Informal Small Talk:
While this type of small talk has no specific regulation. that’s why, it is different from one to another. Yet we have tried to collect some of the most used phrases.
As for greeting, you may just use “Hi!“. Moreover, when you try to ask about the person you start talking to, you might use the following:
- What is up?
- How’s it going?
- How’s everything?
- Is everything OK?
To answer one of this questions, you might just express your current feeling, because in this situation we usually deal with friends and family. For example, an answer could be as follow:
- Fine,
- Not bad,
- So-so,
- Doing great,
- OK,
- All right,
- Never better,
- Not too bad,
- Can’t complain,
- Could be worse,
- Must not grumble.
However, if you don’t want to share your true feeling, you may just reply with “Fine.”, and to keep yourself polite and friendly, you may just reply with:
- “And you?” or “How about you?”.
That’s it for today, if you want to read more, Please check this article: formal-greetings-vs-informal-greetings
Picture source: pexels.com