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Tue Sep 05, 2006 6:15 am Use of good morning/afternoon/evening |
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. Personally, I'd only use "Good day" and "Good night" when leaving someone.
I use good morning/afternoon/evening exclusively as greetings.
Amy _________________ Amy
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ESL teacher, translator, and a native speaker of American English |
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Yankee I'm a Communicator ;-)

Joined: 16 Apr 2006 Posts: 7245 Location: New England
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Tue Sep 05, 2006 15:24 pm Use of good morning/afternoon/evening |
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I only use, "Good morning," to greet people who I know have just gotten out of bed, so I would not use it when I first see people at work or school, because I assume they have been out of bed for some time. Maybe I would say, "Good morning," to someone at work or school if I see that his hair is still wet from the shower, or if he still looks sleepy. I have noticed, however, that some native speakers say, "Good morning," as a greeting the first time they see a person each morning.
"Good afternoon," sounds so formal to me that I never use it unless I'm being playful. "Good evening," also sounds too formal to use in ordinary situations, unless I'm joking.
People where I live never say, "Good day." We don't use it as a greeting or as a farewell. If anyone here says it, they are usually indicating playfulness by using an expression that is considered strange, archaic and overly formal. I think this is true for most Americans.
I would never use "good night" as a greeting. That's only for departure, and usually when you know you'll see the person again in the morning. |
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Jamie (K) I'm a Communicator ;-)
Joined: 24 Feb 2006 Posts: 4105 Location: Detroit, Michigan, USA
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Tue Sep 05, 2006 16:48 pm Use of good morning/afternoon/evening |
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. I'd say the "short form" of Good morning is pretty common: "Morning." (No wet hair necessary, just the first greeting of the day. ) _________________ Amy
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ESL teacher, translator, and a native speaker of American English |
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Yankee I'm a Communicator ;-)

Joined: 16 Apr 2006 Posts: 7245 Location: New England
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