Why Russians do not smile (2002)

Re:Why Russians do not smile (2002) by Gene_Parmesan on Saturday May 29, 2021 @05:40AM (#27324110)

This is exactly how "How are you?" is meant in American culture. It's not fake; greetings are culturally determined and especially the most common greeting phrases in any culture should not be treated literally but instead as part of a ritual exchange.

"How are you?"

"I'm well, and you?"

"Great, thanks."

It's just a ritualistic exchange.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Why Russians do not smile (2002) by MaxBarraclough on Saturday May 29, 2021 @06:26AM (#27324263)

See also the English upper-class ritual introductory exchange:

How do you do?

To which the correct response is:

How do you do?

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Why Russians do not smile (2002) by WesolyKubeczek on Saturday May 29, 2021 @08:30AM (#27324823)

I’ve learned, can’t say if mistakenly or not, that if an American/Brit really expects you to answer, they will say “Are you OK?”

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Why Russians do not smile (2002) by cacarr on Saturday May 29, 2021 @03:28PM (#27327647)

The Japanese say something like "nice weather, eh?" (ii otenki desu ne? - to which one replies "sure is! - "so desu ne!") -- which is mostly just a semantically little-analyzed pragmatic sequence functioning as a casual greeting.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Why Russians do not smile (2002) by drunkpotato on Saturday May 29, 2021 @12:40PM (#27326410)

It’s also not universally American. One of the adjustments I had to make in Boston is “how you doin’?” being the start of a leisurely conversation instead of a quick pleasantry.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Why Russians do not smile (2002) by NicoJuicy on Saturday May 29, 2021 @06:57AM (#27324409)

It's not just American. It's very similar at least in Belgium and I suppose on other western countries too

[ Parent | on HN ]