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All Ears English, 66- How NOT to Respond to an American Greeting in English

66- How NOT to Respond to an American Greeting in English

Lindsay: This is an All Ears English Podcast, Episode 66, “How NOT to Respond to an American Greeting in English.”

Gabby: Welcome to the All Ears English Podcast, where you'll finally get real, native English conversation. Now here are your hosts, Lindsay McMahon, the ‘English Adventurer' and Gabby Wallace, the ‘Language Angel,' coming to you from Boston, Massachusetts, USA.

Lindsay: In this episode, you'll find out why the question “Hi. How are you?” is more about culture than language.

Lindsay: Hey Gabby. How are you?

Gabby: I'm fine.

Lindsay: Gabby. You always say you're just fine or you're doing fine, you're doing great. (I mean) why don't you ever say how you're actually doing. Like give me some real information here. I feel like I'm talking to a brick wall.

Gabby:

What do you mean Lindsay? It's just a greeting. You really wanna (want to) know how I'm feeling?

Lindsay:

Yeah.

Gabby:

You really wanna (want to) know what's going on in my life?

Lindsay:

Well to be honest, I'm just a little confused. I just – I don't know why, (you know), in the US, whenever, (you know), we ask someone how they're doing, there's just a blanket response. “I'm fine.” Gabby:

Yeah.

Lindsay:

“I'm doing well. I'm doing great.”

Gabby:

Yeah.

Well this was actually the topic of a really interesting article that came out, (um), a month or two ago, the “How Are You Culture Clash” by Alina Simone in the (um) OP-ED section of the New York Times. So… Lindsay:

Yeah.

Great article.

Gabby:

…we're referring to that article, we thought it would be really interesting for you guys because when we ask “How are you?” it's really just like a greeting. It's like “Hello.” Right?

Lindsay:

Right.

It's really a greeting. We don't expect a true in-depth response. We don't wanna (want to) know that someone in your family has cancer or that you just got a promotion in your job.

Gabby:

Right.

Lindsay:

We don't really want to know those details.

Gabby:

It's not really asking “How are you?” (I mean), if, if the person you're talking to really wants to know how you're feeling or really wants to know what's going on in your life, they might add something like “No, really, how are you?” Lindsay:

Yeah.

Yeah, exactly. And you might be sitting down with that person for coffee or you might be in their home in the right context.

Gabby:

Yeah.

They'll ask more detailed questions too like “How is your job? Or “How is your family?”

Lindsay:

Right.

And if you know that person a little bit better, they're more likely to ask you that. So when you're just passing someone on the street or in the hallway, don't really expect to go into so much depth. And a lot of people think that this is fake. Is this fake?

Gabby:

No, it's not fake because the way that this greeting works is it's just a salutation. It's just a greeting. It's not fake because the purpose of the question is not to find out what's really going on in your life or your family.

It's just like “Hello.”

Lindsay:

Yeah.

And I think it really goes back to the cultural value of privacy in American culture. (You know) that's something that a lot of Americans really value. Not everyone, but, (you know), for me personally, in my experience, I'm not going to tell you that, for example, my mom has cancer. She doesn't, don't worry. But if she did… Gabby:

Just an example.

Lindsay:

…something like that – I'm not going to tell you that my brother's about to have a kid.

Gabby:

Right.

Lindsay:

Actually that's true.

Gabby:

Oh. Wow.

Lindsay:

But I'm not going to tell you that, (um), if I don't know you that well.

Gabby:

Right.

I think it goes back to privacy and time too because we really value time and if you're just stopping to say a quick “Hello. How are you?” like a greeting, you really don't expect to spend the time hearing about everything that's going on in the other person's life. So it can be a bit unexpected if I say “Hey Lindsay. How are you?” and then you tell me all these things about your family. I'm (like) “Okay, that's interesting, but I gotta go (I've got to go) now.” Lindsay:

Right.

That's awkward because at that point, you actually need to respond and engage, but… Gabby:

Exactly.

Lindsay:

…you didn't plan to do that and I know that in other cultures, that's not the case. (I mean) you really… Gabby:

Take your time.

Lindsay:

…might be more likely to go into depth about your situation when you get that question.

Gabby:

Yeah.

This is true if you know someone or you don't know someone that well. (I mean) really just use “How are you” as (like) a quick greeting. And (um) just to add one last thing, (you know), another way not to respond. (Um), (you know) we said don't say too much information about your, your job, life, family, but also, (you know), don't say, “Oh, I'm, I'm really bad. I'm having a horrible day.” Because that forces the other person to ask “Oh! What, what's wrong?' Lindsay:

Right.

Right.

Gabby:

Right.

And then you have to take the time to talk about the things going on in your life, and your family, and your job, or whatever, so….

Lindsay:

And that also goes back to American culture – often, (uh) there's a tendency towards optimism… Gabby:

Right.

Lindsay:

…(uh) the positive aspect, showing the good side of yourself.

Gabby:

Yeah.

Lindsay:

(Um), I think it all comes back to culture which is really interesting.

Gabby:

Yeah, totally. So I know in some English textbooks, (you know), they'll teach you how to say “Oh, I'm good.” “I'm so, so” or “I'm bad.” But we don't really use those last two. You just… Lindsay:

Yeah.

Gabby:

(You know).

Lindsay:

Yeah.

You really wouldn't. I really wouldn't say “Oh I'm not doing so well.” Gabby:

Yeah.

Lindsay:

Unless, (you know)…

Gabby:

Unless you really need to talk.

Lindsay:

…Unless it's an extreme situation and, yeah, that would either be an indication that you don't want to talk to the person, you want them to ignore you or that you really need to talk to the person.

Gabby:

Yeah.

Lindsay:

But if we're talking about just encounters, (you know), on the street, or in the hallway, just go with the “I'm doing all right.” “I'm doing well.” “Doing great.” “Doing fine.” Gabby:

Yeah.

Trust us. It's normal to give a quick “I'm good.” Lindsay:

Yeah.

That's great. This is a really interesting topic. So (uh) thanks for joining us today guys.

[Instrumental]

Gabby: Thanks for listening to our podcast 35,000 times a day. You guys are listening like crazy. Now if you wanna (want to) just listen, that's okay, butif you want to really improve your English, come get the transcripts. You can find them at allearsenglish.com/conversations. And it's the perfect way to improve your English instantly and connect with Lindsay and myself to ask questions.

Lindsay: If you like to put your ears into English with Lindsay and Gabby, be sure to subscribe to the podcast audio in iTunes for free on your computer or on your Smartphone. Thanks for listening to the All Ears English Podcast. See you next time.

66- How NOT to Respond to an American Greeting in English 66- Wie man NICHT auf eine amerikanische Begrüßung auf Englisch antwortet 66- Cómo NO responder a un saludo americano en inglés 66- Comment NE PAS répondre à une salutation américaine en anglais 66- アメリカ人の挨拶に英語で返事をしない方法 66- Como NÃO responder a uma saudação americana em inglês 66- Как НЕ отвечать на американское приветствие на английском языке 66- Як НЕ відповідати на американське привітання англійською мовою 66 - 如何不用英语回应美国人的问候

Lindsay: This is an All Ears English Podcast, Episode 66, “How NOT to Respond to an American Greeting in English.” Lindsay:這是一個全耳英語播客,第 66 集,“如何不用英語回應美國人的問候。”

Gabby: Welcome to the All Ears English Podcast, where you'll finally get real, native English conversation. Now here are your hosts, Lindsay McMahon, the ‘English Adventurer' and Gabby Wallace, the ‘Language Angel,' coming to you from Boston, Massachusetts, USA.

Lindsay: In this episode, you'll find out why the question “Hi. Lindsay:在這一集中,您將了解為什麼會出現「嗨。」這個問題。 How are you?” is more about culture than language. 你好嗎?”更多的是關於文化而不是語言。

Lindsay: Hey Gabby. How are you?

Gabby: I'm fine.

Lindsay: Gabby. You always say you're just fine or you're doing fine, you're doing great. 你總是說你很好,或者你做得很好,你做得很好。 (I mean) why don't you ever say how you're actually doing. (つまり)実際にどのようにやっているのか言ってみませんか。 (我的意思是)你為什麼不說一下你實際上做得怎麼樣。 Like give me some real information here. 就像在這裡給我一些真實的資訊。 I feel like I'm talking to a brick wall. J'ai l'impression de parler à un mur de briques. レンガの壁に話しかけているような気がします。 我感覺就像是在對著一堵磚牆說話。

Gabby:

What do you mean Lindsay? 林賽什麼意思? It's just a greeting. 這只是一句問候。 You really wanna (want to) know how I'm feeling? 你真的想知道我的感受嗎?

Lindsay:

Yeah.

Gabby:

You really wanna (want to) know what's going on in my life? あなたは本当に私の人生で何が起こっているのか知りたい(したい)のですか? 你真的想知道我的生活發生了什麼事嗎?

Lindsay:

Well to be honest, I'm just a little confused. I just – I don't know why, (you know), in the US, whenever, (you know), we ask someone how they're doing, there's just a blanket response. 私はただ–なぜか、(あなたが知っている)、米国では、(あなたが知っている)いつでも、私たちは誰かに彼らがどのようにやっているのか尋ねます、ただ包括的な応答があります。 我只是──我不知道為什麼,(你知道),在美國,每當(你知道),我們問某人過得怎麼樣時,都會得到籠統的回應。 “I'm fine.” Gabby:

Yeah.

Lindsay:

“I'm doing well. “我很好。 I'm doing great.”

Gabby:

Yeah.

Well this was actually the topic of a really interesting article that came out, (um), a month or two ago, the “How Are You Culture Clash” by Alina Simone in the (um) OP-ED section of the New York Times. さて、これは実際に出てきた本当に興味深い記事のトピックでした、(ええと)、1、2ヶ月前、ニューヨークタイムズの(ええと)OP-EDセクションのアリナシモンによる「HowAre YouCultureClash」 。 嗯,這實際上是一篇非常有趣的文章的主題,(嗯)一兩個月前,Alina Simone 在《紐約時報》(嗯)OP-ED 部分發表的“你文化衝突怎麼樣” 。 So… Lindsay:

Yeah.

Great article.

Gabby:

…we're referring to that article, we thought it would be really interesting for you guys because when we ask “How are you?” it's really just like a greeting. ……我們指的是那篇文章,我們認為這對你們來說真的很有趣,因為當我們問“你好嗎?”這真的就像一個問候。 It's like “Hello.” Right?

Lindsay:

Right.

It's really a greeting. 這確實是一種問候。 We don't expect a true in-depth response. 我們不期望得到真正深入的回應。 We don't wanna (want to) know that someone in your family has cancer or that you just got a promotion in your job. 私たちは、あなたの家族の誰かが癌にかかっていることや、あなたが仕事で昇進したばかりであることを知りたくありません。 我們不想(不想)知道您家裡有人罹患癌症,或是您剛升職。

Gabby:

Right.

Lindsay:

We don't really want to know those details. 我們真的不想知道這些細節。

Gabby:

It's not really asking “How are you?” (I mean), if, if the person you're talking to really wants to know how you're feeling or really wants to know what's going on in your life, they might add something like “No, really, how are you?” Lindsay: 「お元気ですか?」という質問ではありません。 (つまり)あなたが話している相手があなたの気持ちを本当に知りたい、またはあなたの人生で何が起こっているのかを本当に知りたいのなら、彼らは「いいえ、本当に、お元気ですか? 」リンゼイ: 這並不是真的在問“你好嗎?” (我的意思是),如果與你交談的人真的想知道你的感受或真的想知道你的生活中發生了什麼,他們可能會添加諸如“不,真的,你好嗎? ”林賽:

Yeah.

Yeah, exactly. 是的,完全正確。 And you might be sitting down with that person for coffee or you might be in their home in the right context. そして、あなたはコーヒーを飲みにその人と一緒に座っているかもしれませんし、あなたは正しい文脈で彼らの家にいるかもしれません。 您可能正在與那個人坐下來喝咖啡,或者您可能在他們的家裡,在適當的環境中。

Gabby:

Yeah.

They'll ask more detailed questions too like “How is your job? 他們也會問更詳細的問題,例如「你的工作怎麼樣? Or “How is your family?”

Lindsay:

Right.

And if you know that person a little bit better, they're more likely to ask you that. 如果你更了解那個人,他們就更有可能問你這個問題。 So when you're just passing someone on the street or in the hallway, don't really expect to go into so much depth. ですから、通りや廊下で誰かを追い越しているだけのときは、それほど深く入ることを期待しないでください。 因此,當您只是在街上或走廊上經過某個人時,請不要期望深入了解。 And a lot of people think that this is fake. 而且很多人認為這是假的。 Is this fake?

Gabby:

No, it's not fake because the way that this greeting works is it's just a salutation. いいえ、それは偽物ではありません。なぜなら、この挨拶が機能する方法は単なる敬礼だからです。 不,這不是假的,因為這種問候的作用只是一種稱呼。 It's just a greeting. It's not fake because the purpose of the question is not to find out what's really going on in your life or your family. 這不是假的,因為問題的目的不是要了解您的生活或家庭中到底發生了什麼。

It's just like “Hello.”

Lindsay:

Yeah.

And I think it really goes back to the cultural value of privacy in American culture. そして、それは本当にアメリカ文化におけるプライバシーの文化的価値に戻っていると思います。 我認為這實際上可以追溯到美國文化中隱私的文化價值。 (You know) that's something that a lot of Americans really value. (あなたが知っている)それは多くのアメリカ人が本当に大切にしていることです。 (你知道)這是很多美國人真正重視的東西。 Not everyone, but, (you know), for me personally, in my experience, I'm not going to tell you that, for example, my mom has cancer. 不是每個人,但是,(你知道),就我個人而言,根據我的經驗,我不會告訴你,例如,我媽媽患有癌症。 She doesn't, don't worry. 她不會,別擔心。 But if she did… Gabby: 但如果她這樣做了…加比:

Just an example.

Lindsay:

…something like that – I'm not going to tell you that my brother's about to have a kid. ……類似這樣的事情——我不會告訴你我哥哥就要生一個孩子了。

Gabby:

Right.

Lindsay:

Actually that's true. 事實上確實如此。

Gabby:

Oh. Wow.

Lindsay:

But I'm not going to tell you that, (um), if I don't know you that well. 但如果我不太了解你,我不會告訴你這些。

Gabby:

Right.

I think it goes back to privacy and time too because we really value time and if you're just stopping to say a quick “Hello. Je pense que cela revient aussi à la vie privée et au temps parce que nous apprécions vraiment le temps et si vous vous arrêtez juste pour dire un rapide "Bonjour. 我認為這也可以追溯到隱私和時間,因為我們真的很重視時間,如果你只是停下來快速打個招呼,“你好。” How are you?” like a greeting, you really don't expect to spend the time hearing about everything that's going on in the other person's life. Comment vas-tu?" comme une salutation, vous ne vous attendez vraiment pas à passer du temps à entendre parler de tout ce qui se passe dans la vie de l'autre personne. 你好嗎?”就像打招呼一樣,你真的不希望花時間了解對方生活中發生的一切。 So it can be a bit unexpected if I say “Hey Lindsay. Cela peut donc être un peu inattendu si je dis «Hey Lindsay. 因此,如果我說「嘿 Lindsay。 How are you?” and then you tell me all these things about your family. Comment vas-tu?" et puis tu me dis toutes ces choses sur ta famille. 你好嗎?”然後你告訴我所有關於你家庭的事情。 I'm (like) “Okay, that's interesting, but I gotta go (I've got to go) now.” Lindsay: Je suis (comme) "D'accord, c'est intéressant, mais je dois y aller (je dois y aller) maintenant." Lindsey : 我(就像)“好吧,這很有趣,但我現在必須走了(我必須走了)。”林賽:

Right.

That's awkward because at that point, you actually need to respond and engage, but… Gabby: その時点で、実際に応答して関与する必要があるため、それは厄介ですが…ギャビー: 這很尷尬,因為在這一點上,你實際上需要做出回應和參與,但…加比:

Exactly.

Lindsay:

…you didn't plan to do that and I know that in other cultures, that's not the case. ……你沒有打算這樣做,我知道在其他文化中,情況並非如此。 (I mean) you really… Gabby:

Take your time.

Lindsay:

…might be more likely to go into depth about your situation when you get that question. …。當您收到這個問題時,可能更有可能深入了解您的情況。

Gabby:

Yeah.

This is true if you know someone or you don't know someone that well. 如果您認識某人或不太了解某人,這一切都是事實。 (I mean) really just use “How are you” as (like) a quick greeting. (我的意思是)實際上只是使用“你好嗎”作為(就像)快速問候。 And (um) just to add one last thing, (you know), another way not to respond. (嗯)只是添加最後一件事,(你知道),另一種不回應的方式。 (Um), (you know) we said don't say too much information about your, your job, life, family, but also, (you know), don't say, “Oh, I'm, I'm really bad. I'm having a horrible day.” Because that forces the other person to ask “Oh! ひどい一日を過ごしています。」それは他の人に「ああ! 我今天過得很糟。”因為這迫使對方問「喔! What, what's wrong?' Lindsay:

Right.

Right.

Gabby:

Right.

And then you have to take the time to talk about the things going on in your life, and your family, and your job, or whatever, so…. 然後你必須花時間談論你生活中發生的事情,你的家庭,你的工作,或其他什麼,所以…。

Lindsay:

And that also goes back to American culture – often, (uh) there's a tendency towards optimism… Gabby: そして、それはアメリカの文化にも当てはまります–多くの場合、(ええと)楽観的な傾向があります…ギャビー: 這也可以追溯到美國文化——通常,(呃)有一種樂觀的傾向……嘉比:

Right.

Lindsay:

…(uh) the positive aspect, showing the good side of yourself. ……(呃)正面的一面,展現自己好的一面。

Gabby:

Yeah.

Lindsay:

(Um), I think it all comes back to culture which is really interesting. (嗯),我認為這一切都回到了文化上,這真的很有趣。

Gabby:

Yeah, totally. So I know in some English textbooks, (you know), they'll teach you how to say “Oh, I'm good.” “I'm so, so” or “I'm bad.” But we don't really use those last two. 所以我知道在一些英語教科書中,(你知道),他們會教你如何說“哦,我很好。” 「我非常非常」或「我很糟糕」。但我們並沒有真正使用最後兩個。 You just… Lindsay:

Yeah.

Gabby:

(You know).

Lindsay:

Yeah.

You really wouldn't. I really wouldn't say “Oh I'm not doing so well.” Gabby: 我真的不會說“哦,我做得不好。”蓋比:

Yeah.

Lindsay:

Unless, (you know)…

Gabby:

Unless you really need to talk. 除非你真的需要說話。

Lindsay:

…Unless it's an extreme situation and, yeah, that would either be an indication that you don't want to talk to the person, you want them to ignore you or that you really need to talk to the person. ……除非是極端情況,是的,這要么表明您不想與此人交談,您希望他們忽略您,要么表明您確實需要與此人交談。

Gabby:

Yeah.

Lindsay:

But if we're talking about just encounters, (you know), on the street, or in the hallway, just go with the “I'm doing all right.” “I'm doing well.” “Doing great.” “Doing fine.” Gabby: 但如果我們只是談論在街上或走廊上的遭遇(你知道),那就說「我做得很好」。 “我很好。” “做的很好。” “過得不錯。”蓋比:

Yeah.

Trust us. It's normal to give a quick “I'm good.” Lindsay:

Yeah.

That's great. This is a really interesting topic. 這是一個非常有趣的話題。 So (uh) thanks for joining us today guys.

[Instrumental]

Gabby: Thanks for listening to our podcast 35,000 times a day. Gabby:感謝您每天收聽我們的播客 35,000 次。 You guys are listening like crazy. 你們聽得很瘋狂。 Now if you wanna (want to) just listen, that's okay, butif you want to really improve your English, come get the transcripts. 現在,如果您想(想)只是聽,那沒關係,但如果您想真正提高英語水平,請來獲取成績單。 You can find them at allearsenglish.com/conversations. And it's the perfect way to improve your English instantly and connect with Lindsay and myself to ask questions. 這是立即提高英語水平並與 Lindsay 和我本人聯繫並提出問題的完美方式。

Lindsay: If you like to put your ears into English with Lindsay and Gabby, be sure to subscribe to the podcast audio in iTunes for free on your computer or on your Smartphone. Lindsay:如果您想與 Lindsay 和 Gabby 一起聆聽英語,請務必在電腦或智慧型手機上免費訂閱 iTunes 中的播客音訊。 Thanks for listening to the All Ears English Podcast. See you next time.