GREETINGS

Friends often say "Hi" to each other.
Then they often ask a general question, such as
"How are you?" or "How are things?" or "How's life?"

The reply to this question is normally positive.

"Fine thanks, and you?"

"Fine thanks, what about yourself?"

"Not bad." Or "Can't complain."

GREETING PEOPLE YOU DON'T KNOW

You can use "Hello" with people you don't know, but a more formal greeting is "Good morning / afternoon / evening."

The other person normally replies with the same greeting as you have used and then makes polite conversation, such as "How was your trip?" or "Did you find our office easily?"

INTRODUCING YOURSELF

◎ At an informal party

"Hello, I'm Michiko." Or "Hello, my name's Michiko."

The reply could be:

"Hi, I'm Kenji." Or "Hello Michiko, I'm Kenji." Or "Nice to meet you, I'm Kenji."

◎ At work-related events

"I'd like to introduce myself. I'm Michiko, from IMS Company."

Or, "Let me introduce myself. I'm Michiko, from IMS Company."

The reply could be:

"Nice to meet you. I'm Kenji Kawamura, from KK Design."

"Pleased to meet you. I'm Kenji Kawamura, from KK Design."

"How do you do? I'm Kenji Kawamura, from KK Design."

INTRODUCING OTHER PEOPLE

◎ Introducing a friend to a work colleague

"Michiko, have you met my colleague Kenji?"

"Michiko, I'd like you to meet my colleague Kenji."

Michiko could say:

"Pleased to meet you, Kenji." Or "Nice to meet you, Kenji."

Kenji could say:

"Nice to meet you too, Michiko." Or "Hello, Michiko."

◎ Introducing clients

"Ms Michiko, I'd like to introduce you to my manager, Kenji Kawamura."

Michiko could then say:

"How do you do?"

Or Michiko could say:

"Pleased to meet you." Or "Nice to meet you."

◎ At a more informal party

When you introduce two of your friends to each other, you can simply say, "Kenji, this is Michiko."

CULTURAL CONSIDERATIONS

At work, one person may have higher status - your boss, or a client, for example. It's polite to address them as Mr / Ms until the situation becomes more informal.

If someone says, "Please call me (Kenji)", you know you can use first names. If someone uses your first name, you can use their first name too.

People in European and English-speaking cultures often shake hands when they meet someone for the first time.