A: Say “Hi!”, “Hello!” and follow with a phrase like “How are you?” or “How are things?”
B: Answer with a phrase like “Fine” and ask A a similar question.
A: Reply
Here’s an example:
A: Hi Suzie. How are you? B: Fine thanks. And you? A. Yeah, fine thanks.
“Fine”, “Fine thanks”, “OK”, “OK thanks” all mean the same. “I’m very well, thanks” is more formal. “Not bad thanks”, “Can’t complain” are less positive.
In formal situations, you can also say “Good morning”, “Good afternoon” and “Good evening”.
“Good morning” = for the morning up to lunch. “Good afternoon” = for the afternoon until early evening (i.e. around 6pm) “Good evening” = for the rest of the evening “Good night” = when you leave a person at the end of the evening, or when you go to bed.