MEETING PEOPLE

Aim: to be able to start, continue, and end a simple conversation when meeting people

❖ Meeting People: Greeting

When greeting someone, it is important to use the appropriate level of formality for each situation.
Are you comfortable using formal, professional, or casual greetings in English? What about slang?
Situations Expressions

Professional ● Good morning / Good afternoon / Good evening.

or
● Hello. How do you do?
formal
● Nice to meet you. / Pleased to meet you.

● How have you been doing? / How have you been?

Informal ● Hello / Hi / Hey

● How are you? / How are you doing? / How is it going?

● Good to see you. / It’s great to see you. / Nice to see you.

● Long time, no see. / It’s been awhile. / When was the last time we saw each
other?

● How have you been? / How have things been going (since I last saw you)? / What
have you been up to?

Slang ● G’day, mate! (Australian greeting)

● Hi / Hey / Hey there / Hey man

● Yo!

● Howdy!

● How’s it going? / What’s going on? / How’s everything?

● What’s up? / What’s new?

● Long time, no see. / It’s been ages! / Where have you been hiding?
You need to note that slang is very informal and should be used with people you know very well.
They will be not appropriate for work meeting or to use in any official work events. One more thing is
that slang is regional. It may be accepted in some places but not in others.

❖ Introducing Self and Getting to Know Each Other

Introducing yourself to strangers can be tricky because what you say depends on the context and
situation.
Information How to Ask How to Respond

Name What’s your name? My name is … / I’m ...

Could you tell me your name? My full / first / last name is …

May I know your name? My nick name is …

How should I call you? People call me ... / Everyone calls me …

You can call me … / Please call me ...

(Dave) for short.

Origin Where were you born? I was born in ...

Where do you come from? I come from ...

Where are you from? I’m (originally) from … (country)

I am … (nationality)

Address Where do you live? I live in / on / at …

What’s your address? My address is …

I grew up in …

Occupation What do you do? I am a / an ...

What is your job? I work for a / an …

What do you do for a living? I work as a / an …

What line of work are you in? I earn my living as a …

I’m looking for a job.

I’m unemployed. / I’m retired.

Education What school do you go to? I’m a student at …

I go to ... / I study at … / I’m at …

What department are you majoring I take … / I study … / I’m majoring …

in?
 Where were you graduated from? I was graduated from …

Phone number What’s your phone number? It’s (022) 835 7461

e-mail address Can I get your e-mail address? It’s gero.nimo8@gmail.com

Note that asking about someone’s age or marital status in the first meeting is often considered
impolite. However, you can pack your questions in such a way that it will not sound rude or offended.
● I don’t mean to be rude, but may I know how old you are?
● I’m sorry if this may make you a little uncomfortable, but have you married?

❖ Introducing Others
When you introduce people, the most important and trickiest part can be to figure out who should be
introduced to whom, based on rank and authority.
If the people you are introducing are:
- same age range and same gender: it doesn’t matter whose name you say first
- same age range but different gender: say the female’s name first
- different age range: say the older person’s name first
- if one person is a VIP: say the VIP’s name first
- if one person is in the higher rank in a company / organization: say his / her name first

Also keep in mind:

- in business and more formal occasions, use first and last names when introducing people
- it is always helpful to give a little more information about the people you are introducing in
order to give them a conversation starter
Here are some ways to introduce others:
● I’d like to introduce you to …
● Let me introduce you to …
● I’d like you to meet …
● Have you meet … ?
● Please meet …
● This is ….

❖ The Titles
The titles Mr. Mrs. Ms. and Miss are usually used in formal situations. They are used to show respect.
Those titles are commonly attached to complete name, such as Mr. Aaron Adams, or to last name,
such as Mr. Adams. The title used for a married woman is Mrs., followed by her husband’s last name.
Meanwhile, an unmarried woman uses Ms. or Miss followed by her father’s last name. These titles
cannot be used without name attached behind them, except for Miss.

❖ Making Small Talk

Small talk is the kind of conversation you make when you want to talk to someone but neither of you
wants to get into a very deep nor complicated conversation. It is “small” because you talk about
unimportant things, in a way that fills up silences and makes you both feel more comfortable and
friendly with each other.
Making small talk can help you:
- avoid awkward silence
- easily get to know someone new
- seem friendlier
- become closer with acquaintances and coworkers
However, you need to remember that the appropriate topics for small talk can vary from culture to
culture. Some topics are universal; others are better suited for specific situations.
Some examples of small talk:
Topic Example

universal topic ● Did you watch the Oscars last week? I can’t believe Leonardo DiCaprio
finally won.

● This weather is crazy! It was cold yesterday and today I came in with an open
jacket. I hope it stays warm, don’t you?

● That basketball game yesterday had me glued to my seat. Wasn’t that a great
save at the very end?

the day ● How was your day?

● Are you doing anything fun after work?

● Good morning! I went camping on Saturday, and of course it rained all day.
Was your weekend any better?

the workplace ● Morning. I’m really looking forward to the party after work today. I hear
Pam brought her famous carrot cake!

● What a busy day. This is the first time I’ve gotten up from my seat all day!
Are you busy too?

observations ● I love your shoes today. They really pull your outfit together.

● Did you see? They finally fixed the light in the break room. It’s been broken
for almost a month!

common interest ● My cousin mentioned you last night. I didn’t know you knew her. Where did
you meet?

● I noticed your hat as a Yankees logo. Are you a fan of baseball too?

questions ● Hey, I heard you were thinking of adopting a new dog. Did you find one?
 ● Your hair always looks great. What hair products do you use?

❖ Parting
There are different expressions or phrases to say goodbye. These parting phrases depend on situations
and the people involved, their social status and personal relationship.
Leaving and saying goodbye ● All right, everyone, it’s time to head off.

● Anyway, guys I’m going to make a move.

● Ok, everyone, it’s time to leave.

● See you later / tomorrow / soon.

● Talk to you later.

If you want to say goodbye ● I’m sorry, I’ve got to rush off / run / hurry!
in a hurry
● I’m afraid I’m going to have to rush off.

Saying goodbye politely ● Nice to see you.

after meeting someone
● It’s been lovely to see you.

● Have a lovely / nice evening.

● Have a good day.

Saying goodbye to your ● Thanks very much for dinner / lunch – it was lovely!
hosts
● Thank you very much for having me.

Other ways to say goodbye ● Take care.

● Bye!

● Later!

● So long!

● Catch you later.

● I’ll see you later.

● Peace! / Peace out!

 WORKSHEET
A. Answer these questions!
1. You meet your lecturer in the corridor at 9 a.m. How do you greet him?
2. You call your director’s secretary at 1 p.m. How do you greet her?
3. What do you say to your new business partners when they are going to leave?
4. What do you say when you are introduced to a new employee at office?
5. What do you say to your parents when you want to go to bed?

B. Complete these conversations with suitable expressions!

1. Darren : Good morning.
Mrs. Liu : (1) __________________________________________. Can I help you?
Darren : Yes, actually I want to register to this English course.
Mrs. Liu : Sure. (2) _________________________________________________?
Darren : My name is Darren, Darren Wijaya.
Mrs. Liu : (3) ______________________________________________________?
Darren : It’s W-I--J-A-Y-A. Darren Wijaya.
Mrs. Liu : OK, and (4) ______________________________________ Mr. Wijaya?
Darren : I live at Pine Street number 145B.
Mrs. Liu : (5) ______________________________________________________?
Darren : I am actually a college student.
Mrs. Liu : (6) ______________________________________________________?
Darren : I go to University of Iowa, majoring Economics.
Mrs. Liu : Very well, Mr. Wijaya. This is your registration number. Please wait over
there.

2. Jordan : Allison, hi!

Allison : (7) _________, Jordan. Long time no see. (8) _____________________?
Jordan : (9) I’m very well, thanks. How about you?
Allison : (10) __________. (11) Oh, ____________ my friend, Lucy. She works in
the same office with me. Lucy, (12) _____________, Jordan, my old friend
from school.
 Lucy : Hello, Jordan. (13) __________________________________________.
Jordan : Pleasure to meet you, too. So, (14) __________ an accountant too, Lucy?
Lucy : No, actually not. I am not an accountant. I am a business analyst.

C. What would you say in these following topics of small talk?

1. Your best friend
2. The last film you saw
3. Pets
4. Jazz concert
5. Learning a language
6. Hobby
7. Sport
8. Recent natural disaster in your country
9. The new boss
10. Office annual party