Korean Job Discussion Forums

ajuma · Joined: 18 Feb 2003 Location: Anywere but Seoul!!

This came up in a discussion today. How may of you actually said this phrase in your home country??? I maintain that we're more likely to say "What's up?" or "How's it goin?" than we are to say "How are you?" To which the answers WON'T be "Fine, thank you, and you?"

Shoon · Joined: 02 Nov 2004 Location: Gwangju

I'm quite sure I say that exact phrase everything I go shopping in my home country. Anytime a cashier or salesperson asks me how I am, that is my standard reply.

casey's moon · Joined: 14 Sep 2004 Location: Daejeon

"How are you?" is very common in my hometown. The response is usually various (pretty good, not bad, couldn't be better, fine) and "How are you?" The people in my home town don't usually say, "and you?"

Son Deureo! · Joined: 30 Apr 2003

When I worked for a call center, that's exactly how I answered the question "How are you?", each and every single time. It was sufficiently friendly yet soulless for that particular situation.

I thought I would never say it again after I quit that job until I came to Korea. Now I say it all the time to piss off my fellow ESL teachers. Twisted Evil

coolsage · Posted: Fri Nov 05, 2004 9:32 pm Post subject:

That is certainly the least offensive greeting that a wayguk will receive here. It beats the hell out of " How old are you? How much money do you make? Are you a Christian? Why not?" Yes, it's trite, but chances are, it would happen in your home country as well. Cut the locals some slack on this one.

MixtecaMike · Posted: Fri Nov 05, 2004 9:38 pm Post subject:

BTW what is the correct response to "What's up?"

Not much, what's up you? Cool

d503 · Joined: 16 Oct 2004 Location: Daecheong, Seoul

Let's see, I say "How are you?" to old people, people who don't speak English well, and to strangers. And answer the standard Fine thanks.

I am a fan of "Hey, what's up?" to my friends of my age. To which I get the invariable reply of the sky or not much dawg, and I reply nothin' much, just....and fill in whatever asinine thing i am doing.

And to the OP I have to say I think, How are you? Fine thanks. And you? is most likely the best to teach because it can be used in any situtaion, however making them aware of the other options isn't a bad idea, but I know I wouldn't go up to someone I didn't know and say "Hey, What's up?"

VanIslander · Posted: Fri Nov 05, 2004 10:21 pm Post subject:

How-ya doin'?

paperbag princess · Joined: 07 Mar 2004 Location: veggie hell

i like "what's goin' on, dude(s)?" or "'sup?"

jajdude · Joined: 18 Jan 2003

I guess for native speakers, "Good, thanks, and yourself?" might be a more typical reply.

Ody · Joined: 27 Jan 2003 Location: over here