4 ms·

This kind of greeting is, however, not appropriate to complete strangers and might be considered an inappropriate familiarity. From the top answer in your link

This kind of greeting is, however, not appropriate to complete strangers and might be considered an inappropriate familiarity. From the top answer in your link. I’m with the gp, it’s grotesque when everyone I come across in America in a supermarket or pharmacy all ask this. Edit: why does this comment minimize?

mlevental 8y ago
you're missing my point: it's a throwaway greeting whenever it is used (between friends in russia or between strangers in the us) so there's nothing "grotesque" about it nor should there be anything confusing about it once you understand the purpose. it's simply a greeting and not actually a question. many times people in america don't actually even answer the question. completely equivalent to здраствуйте or добро пожаловать or whatever.
- GW150914 8y ago
  Except the gp was specifically talking about strangers, and your link points out that this Russian phrase is overfamiliar for strangers. That is the whole point! From the gp (I usually don't care how some stranger feels, why should I?) It’s a whole other issue if your friend says it, but that isn’t what he was talking about.
  - deanCommie 8y ago
    But it's not overfamiliar because the expectations are different. The way Russians and others justify their discomfort with "How are you" is by complaining that an honest response isn't requested or expected, and giving one is awkward. That is exactly the same situation with "как дела". Though you would only use it with close friends, it is intended as a throwaway comment, not expecting an honest response.
- everybodyknows 8y ago
  "How are you?" is not at all a throw-away greeting among genuine friends in the US, at least not among those who think about what they're saying.
  - learc83 8y ago
    When used as a greeting, even among friends, no one says how are you expecting any response other than "fine". >at least not among those who think about what they're saying. Words can have different meanings depending on context. "How are you?, or what's up?" can be used as greetings instead of questions. It has nothing to do with "thinking about what your saying".
  - Bjartr 8y ago
    In my experience* the genuine inquiry is vocalized sightly differently from the throw-away getting, but they definitely both exist. You'll get an odd look giving a genuine answer to the greeting and incredulity or even be considered rude if you answer the inquiry dismissively. Interpersonal communication is fraught with opportunities for misunderstanding at the best of times. *I've spent all 29 years of my life in the Northeast USA, for context.
  - mlevental 8y ago
    >at least not among those who think about what they're saying. r/iamverysmart. unless you're on the spectrum it's very easy to distinguish between sincere inquiry and ritualized greeting.
- pavel_lishin 8y ago
  But it's not equivalent to здравствуйте. I wouldn't say "как дела" when I'm walking into a job interview, or when I'm entering a doctor's office. I would say "good morning", or "hello" - доброе утро, здравствуйте. But in America, it's actually totally acceptable to say "how are you" to your potential future boss or your doctor, and they understand that it's a greeting.
  - mlevental 8y ago
    just like the person i responded to you're not getting the point. among the people that use each greeting they are equivalent. i'm exactly saying outside of formality they serve the same purpose. yes in russia you only use that greeting with familiars and in america it's acceptable to use it with anyone. that's besides what purpose it serves.

mlevental 8y ago

you're missing my point: it's a throwaway greeting whenever it is used (between friends in russia or between strangers in the us) so there's nothing "grotesque" about it nor should there be anything confusing about it once you understand the purpose. it's simply a greeting and not actually a question. many times people in america don't actually even answer the question. completely equivalent to здраствуйте or добро пожаловать or whatever.

GW150914 8y ago
Except the gp was specifically talking about strangers, and your link points out that this Russian phrase is overfamiliar for strangers. That is the whole point! From the gp (I usually don't care how some stranger feels, why should I?) It’s a whole other issue if your friend says it, but that isn’t what he was talking about.
- deanCommie 8y ago
  But it's not overfamiliar because the expectations are different. The way Russians and others justify their discomfort with "How are you" is by complaining that an honest response isn't requested or expected, and giving one is awkward. That is exactly the same situation with "как дела". Though you would only use it with close friends, it is intended as a throwaway comment, not expecting an honest response.
everybodyknows 8y ago
"How are you?" is not at all a throw-away greeting among genuine friends in the US, at least not among those who think about what they're saying.
- learc83 8y ago
  When used as a greeting, even among friends, no one says how are you expecting any response other than "fine". >at least not among those who think about what they're saying. Words can have different meanings depending on context. "How are you?, or what's up?" can be used as greetings instead of questions. It has nothing to do with "thinking about what your saying".
- Bjartr 8y ago
  In my experience* the genuine inquiry is vocalized sightly differently from the throw-away getting, but they definitely both exist. You'll get an odd look giving a genuine answer to the greeting and incredulity or even be considered rude if you answer the inquiry dismissively. Interpersonal communication is fraught with opportunities for misunderstanding at the best of times. *I've spent all 29 years of my life in the Northeast USA, for context.
- mlevental 8y ago
  >at least not among those who think about what they're saying. r/iamverysmart. unless you're on the spectrum it's very easy to distinguish between sincere inquiry and ritualized greeting.
pavel_lishin 8y ago
But it's not equivalent to здравствуйте. I wouldn't say "как дела" when I'm walking into a job interview, or when I'm entering a doctor's office. I would say "good morning", or "hello" - доброе утро, здравствуйте. But in America, it's actually totally acceptable to say "how are you" to your potential future boss or your doctor, and they understand that it's a greeting.
- mlevental 8y ago
  just like the person i responded to you're not getting the point. among the people that use each greeting they are equivalent. i'm exactly saying outside of formality they serve the same purpose. yes in russia you only use that greeting with familiars and in america it's acceptable to use it with anyone. that's besides what purpose it serves.