When did 'hey, how are you?' become a normal opening greeting in the UK?

[Lucia23]

I'm wondering if this, or some form of this greeting has always existed or not - and also if it is generational.

I'm a millennial and everyone in my age group tends to greet each other like this when meeting. Every single morning my colleagues ask this question too, one after the other. During times when I have been depressed I've found it particularly difficult to answer with the expected 'fine'. But even during a normal period, I find it annoying.

My grandparents never greeted anyone this way right off the bat. My parents never used to either, but now I notice they use this exact sentence as their first greeting to me in the last few years.

Am I wrong in thinking this is more recent, or has it always been a popular greeting? I find it invasive and irritating - although pretend to be easy going about it and answer with 'fine' !

It's a modern version of "how do you do" isn't it? It's largely rhetorical, and no weirder than saying "good morning" to someone whose morning you don't care about.

I find it irritating too.

Even more irritating when you say “fine” when actually, you are falling to bits and some wanker says, “fine? Not great, or fantastic?!” and you just want to tell them that no, you are hardly keeping afloat but it’s none of their bloody business, so fine will have to do.

Sorry, dds bloody karate teacher does that to me every time she catches me off guard and it makes me feel even worse than I already do

@RiaOverTheRainbow I sit opposite a particularly annoying colleague & if I say fine but seem unconvincing, will press it! 'are you fine?'. I work in an open plan office too.

Maybe for most people it is rhetorical. But wouldn't it sound odd not to answer? I've tried and it sounds curt.

I just say ‘alright?’

I am from Yorkshire though! That’s what everyone says. Language just evolves.

@Siriisatwat

I find it irritating too.

Even more irritating when you say “fine” when actually, you are falling to bits and some wanker says, “fine? Not great, or fantastic?!” and you just want to tell them that no, you are hardly keeping afloat but it’s none of their bloody business, so fine will have to do.

Sorry, dds bloody karate teacher does that to me every time she catches me off guard and it makes me feel even worse than I already do

Exactly, I've had that response too. I feel like we've almost become an Americanised culture, goes along with the 'have a nice day' tone of things to my mind.

What brought this up is I was reading about how Victorians seemed very sombre compared to us and wore mourning clothes. I said I wouldn't mind bringing that back to shut up a few overly cheerful people when I am actually struggling! It made me wonder how they might have greeted each other.

I'm from the west country and it's 'y'rite?'

Can I also add, when did “sorry” become acceptable for “excuse me please”. It’s really shorthand for “sorry, do you mind if I get past?” but I find it really rude when someone just barks SORRY at you then expects you to move

And the correct answer to ‘alright?’ Is ‘Yeah, you?’

You don't have to actually answer it. Although it's a question it's not really

In that situation I just respond with Hi and ignore the How are you?

First time someone said that to me as a greeting without expecting a reply was 1997. She was Irish, we were in England. I’ve never been keen on it as a greeting but I think it’s been around ages.

@Skysblue

First time someone said that to me as a greeting without expecting a reply was 1997. She was Irish, we were in England. I’ve never been keen on it as a greeting but I think it’s been around ages.

I'm impressed that you remember that @Skysblue ! Interesting.

I greet everybody in a similar way. Variations include

Hey, how are you going?
How's your day been so far?
Morning! How's things?

As an Aussie, it's fairly common to greet everybody and pass the time of day with pleasantries - it would be rude not to.

Curious - what is the proper way to greet people?

@RiaOverTheRainbow

It's a modern version of "how do you do" isn't it? It's largely rhetorical, and no weirder than saying "good morning" to someone whose morning you don't care about.

This. The answer to “how do you do?” was always “how do you do” in return, similarly when people ask the modern equivalent you aren’t expected to answer in a meaningful way.

Is it the "Hey" or the "How are you" that irritates? I find Hey as a greeting a bit too casual for work, but I can live with it. I'm Gen X.

We've learned NEVER ask FIL & his wife 'You alright?'

You'll be chewing your own wrists out after the litany of woes they relay to you - most of which everyone is currently experiencing. Then Weber the list of who's dead, at death's door or in hospital. None of whom we know.

Now it's 'hiya' and that's it

It may be an American thing? Over here it seems EVERY 'hi' is followed by a 'how are you?' I still haven't figured out if they always expect an answer, it seems rude not to ask back. Certainly no one waits for one - just start scanning groceries or library books or whatever the interaction is. I'm used to it now but it took a while!

It's been around a long time.

'good thanks, you!'

Is a pretty standard reply.

If your colleague presses the matter just say 'I am fine thank you' and change the subject. If she asks again, just say 'I have already said I'm fine can we move on please'.

Haven’t said “hey” but have been asking people “how are you” for as long as I can remember (58 now).

What really flummoxes me is the perfunctory “enjoy your day” at 8pm at the supermarket checkout.

@GADDay

I greet everybody in a similar way. Variations include

Hey, how are you going?
How's your day been so far?
Morning! How's things?

As an Aussie, it's fairly common to greet everybody and pass the time of day with pleasantries - it would be rude not to.

Curious - what is the proper way to greet people?

You sound nice and friendly @GADDay

I'm described as friendly too but I suppose I will only ask how are things if I haven't seen the person for a while.

I only greet with hello/hey or morning/afternoon etc depending on time of day. Not sure there is a proper way really - I just don't tend to lead with 'how are you' because I dislike being asked on reverse. Others may disagree!

A reply of 'good' is also very irritating. Good at what?

I say “howiya” which is Irish and short for “how are you”, but you’d never expect an actual proper response. You just say “grand” or “not too bad” back, even if you are quite bad!
Interestingly, non-Irish people seem to find the “not too bad” response to be quite negative, but it isn’t meant to be.

I always say “Morning”, “afternoon” or, “evening”.

I feel like I need a hat to tip while I say it.

"Hiya you alright?" Is how it usually goes where I live.
I dont mind being the one saying it, but I hate being the one responding.
Because its usually just meant as a hello, but the fact it is a question confuses the shit out of me.
I usually respond with "hiya yeah not bad thanks. You?" And they don't always answer. Which I don't mind, because I know its just a hello. I feel stupid for asking the "you?" But feel rude if I don't considering they asked me.
Can you tell I overthink this. It's far easier to avoid people

@hemhem

Is it the "Hey" or the "How are you" that irritates? I find Hey as a greeting a bit too casual for work, but I can live with it. I'm Gen X.

The how are you part.

Pretty sure it's been around a long time. From how do you do you, y'orite, to what's up. They all mean the same thing.