How do people greet each other? The most common and conventional form of greeting in English is a “How do you do?”. The expected answer is just a return “How do you do?” or so I was taught. But people actually react differently to a “How do you do?”. Indians typically respond by saying “I am fine. How are you?”. One of my neighbours, who had spent quite some time in US, usually used to respond as “So far so good”, and I used to wonder if that actually meant “I was good so far but not so sure anymore, after having bumped into you”.

As if they do not want to commit on their being well

Kenyans respond by saying “Not bad”. As if they do not want to commit on their well being or being well. In Hindi, a “Kya Haal Hai?” (How are you doing?) usually gets a response like “Badiya” (very good) but those not willing to commit on their well-being say a “Kat Rahi Hai” (I am making do), which is almost like “Not bad”.

In Gujarati of course “Kem Chho?” is almost always responded by “Majaa Maan” (Enjoying) or “Saroo Chhe” (Its good).

Know any more ways of responding to “How do you do?”. Post your comments, if you do.