The most important thing to remember with any greeting: don’t be robotic. Unless you’re an actor, scripted dialogue is such a waste– and it’s a good reason why so many people hate small talk.
Unfortunately, lots of English learners rely on these kinds of phrases because they prioritize perfection instead of connection. Here’s my reminder to you: if you properly connect with a person, s/he won’t care how good or bad your language skills are.
A big problem with using textbook phrases is that you’re bound to encounter people who don’t play by the book. They’ll react in ways that don’t follow what you’ve studied, and you’ll feel extra unprepared in how to respond.
Case in point this holiday season: you might wish someone “Merry Christmas”. But instead of cheers and smiles, they give you a dirty look. Surprised? Not everybody in the US celebrates Christmas!
So what’s a better way to greet someone this holiday season? Check out the video to find out!
The Conversation Coach 