Answer the question how do you do

Do you really answer “How do you do?” with “How do you do?”

I’m a non native speaker of English. In our learning we were told that when we say hello to someone we use equivalent phrase:

In response we do say:

But I’m unsure about the usage in the USA or UK. I haven’t heard from them. I’m an Indian.

Is this the correct way of introducing someone?

6 Answers 6

You are absolutely correct. «How do you do» is an old fashioned introduction and is an obsolete synonym of «hello», and consequently the proper response is «how do you do?».

Mr Darlington: How do you do, Mrs Windermere?

Mrs Windermere: How do you do, Mr Darlington?

This exchange is exactly equivalent to the more modern (and at the time, more vulgar):

Mr Darlington: Hello, Mrs Windermere.

Mrs Windermere: Hello, Mr Darlington.

Note that the phrase «how do you do» has long since gone out of fashion in British English, and was never in fashion in American English.

Generally speaking, native speakers in both British English and American English now use the phrase hello instead, although how do you do does still persist in some formal settings in British English, generally during formal introductions, and lives on as howdy in some dialects of American English (and like how do you do, the correct response to howdy is howdy).

How do you do? is a bit formal sounding; at least here in the U.S., we’d usually use the more informal How are you? instead.

How are you? (or, even more informally, How ya’ doin’?) is indeed used as a greeting as often as it is as a genuine inquiry, although there are, of course, some exceptions. If I had been in an accident, for example, and was paid a visit as I was laying in my hospital bed, I would not answer «How are you doing?» with another «How are you doing?» Instead, I’d assume the person wanted to know how I was feeling after the accident. However, when I pass someone in the hallway at work, it’s not uncommon for one «How’re you doing?» to be answered with another, as if we had said «Hello» instead.

Of course, this generalization can vary somewhat based on region and local culture, a fact that was brilliantly parodied in this commericial, where the visitor doesn’t seem to recognize that, at least in New York, «How ya’ doin’?» is not usually an open-ended question (as it might be in Texas, where the visitor is apparently from).

Usually, when «How are you doing?» is given as an answer to «How are you doing?», that’s done among friends and close acquaintances. However, when being introduced to someone for the first time, we generally answer the question, rather than repeat the question, as Bill said in his comment:

How are you doing?
Fine, thanks – and you?

Something like that would probably be the «safest» response if you weren’t sure what to say.

In my region (Upstate NY, American English) it is a little different. We do answer the question, although the answer can vary.

The customary greeting is «How are you?»

What you never do is admit you are not good in a formal contact. Even if you are having a very bad day, when a stranger (other than your doctor) asks you how you are doing you use one of the first two forms. Even at funerals, the bereaved often say they are «doing ok», «managing» or «getting by» rather than admitting how they really feel.

The «how are you» question can also be used to expand a brief contact. If someone says, «good evening» you can respond «Good evening to you too. How are you doing this evening?» The first person then has an opportunity to further expand the conversation or shut it down with a simple formal reply.

Do you really answer «How do you do?» with «How do you do?»

We’re told in our English classes (learning English as a foreign language) that the only possible answer to

is to repeat the question:

(While it’s perfectly OK to answer other similar questions

That said, then I talk to English speakers with Skype or in chats, I tried to ask the question, but the answer was never «how do you do?». It was rather «fine. you?» or something.

What is right and what is a myth?

13 Answers 13

As Cerberus wrote about ‘U’ English, replying to «How do you do» with «How do you do» used to be the case among some classes in England (at least), but it seems to be (sadly) nearly extinct. Kate Fox writes in the first chapter of Watching the English (which is about talking about the weather):

We used to have another option, at least for some social situations, but the ‘How do you do?’ greeting (to which the apparently ludicrous correct response is to repeat the question back ‘How do you do?’) is now regarded by many as somewhat archaic, and is no longer the universal standard greeting. The ‘Nice day, isn’t it?’ exchange must, however, be understood in the same light, and not taken literally: ‘How do you do?’ is not a real question about health or well-being, and ‘Nice day, isn’t it?’ is not a real question about the weather.

So in this usage, «How do you do?» wasn’t an actual question about the person: it was just a meaningless greeting, and for instance what one might say when introduced to someone (in lieu of «Pleased to meet you»), presumably while tipping one’s hat. In reply, the other person, also wishing to make the same meaningless greeting, would say «How do you do». Note that «How do you do» in this usage was even spoken as a statement, not as a question (i.e., without a rising tone at the end).

These days «How do you do?» is more likely to be interpreted as an actual question. Interestingly, as n0nChun observes, one does sometimes hear a similar exchange these days, with «What’s up» getting the reply «What’s up», or even just «sup» — «sup».

marget

Senior Member

«How do you do»? Is this a question that one uses only the first time one meets another person? By that, I mean it is never used again even if people meet again. Is a reply expected? Is this expression in common use? Is it extremely formal, more BE than AE? If ‘how do you do» is not in everyday use, is «pleased to meet you» a better expression? Any other suggestions?

Tabac

Senior Member

«How do you do»? Is this a question that one uses only the first time one meets another person? This is normally when I hear it. By that, I mean it is never used again even if people meet again. Is a reply expected? The reply is often, «How do you do?» Is this expression in common use? Not it my groups. Is it extremely formal, more BE than AE? I have a feeling it’s more frequently used in BE, but since I’m not there it’s hard to say. If ‘how do you do» is not in everyday use, is «pleased to meet you» a better expression? I think so. Any other suggestions?

Joelline

Senior Member

In AE, it is, generally, used only the first time one meets another person, unless a very long time has gone by since the first meeting. A typical response might be «Fine, thank you, and you?» But since no one thinks of the literal meaning of the words, a «how do you do» is also an appropriate response.

It is used in everyday formal use: i.e. it is used when someone introduces you to someone else or when someone is introduced to you.

Mr. Jones. Ann, may I introduce Paul?
Ann: How do you do?
Mr. Jones, Paul, this is Ann.
Paul: Pleased to meet you.

You’d never use it in informal introductions: Hey, everybody, this is Ann!
«Everybody» would say, Hi, Hello, etc.

This is a harder question than it appears to be. I sat here wracking my brain and trying to remember every time I’ve used the expression!

marget

Senior Member

New Member

GenJen54

Senior Member

I agree with Joelline’s assessment and example.

I would add, however, that the expression in general seems to be falling out of use. I recall using it much more when I was younger (being introduced to friends of my parents and especially grandparents).

Now, we tend simply to say «Nice to meet you» when introduced to someone.

Mr. Apple: Ms. Pear, I would like you to meet my friend Orange.
Ms. Pear: (It’s) Nice to meet you, Orange. (alt. It’s a pleasure to meet you).
Orange: (It’s) Nice to meet you, too.

MarcB

Senior Member

Brioche

Senior Member

«How do you do»? Is this a question that one uses only the first time one meets another person? By that, I mean it is never used again even if people meet again. Is a reply expected? Is this expression in common use? Is it extremely formal, more BE than AE? If ‘how do you do» is not in everyday use, is «pleased to meet you» a better expression? Any other suggestions?

You little ripper!

Senior Member

marget

Senior Member

Brioche

Senior Member

moirag

Senior Member

Gatamariposa

Senior Member

Don’t think I have ever used that, except maybe when joking around, it’s very high register.

Toepicker

Member

A90Six

Senior Member

BE London: colloquialisms

«How do you do?» can sound very formal, although it is still often used by less cultured speakers, such as myself. The greeting would sound something like, «‘Ow ja do?» It is often shortened further to simply, «‘Ow do?» In the USA the similar contraction, «Howdy?» can still be heard.

«How do you do» can also be used, in the southeast of England at least, to mean fuss, bother, fight or argument. «The bride’s ex-boyfriend turned up at the church and there was a right old how do you do.»

diogerepus

Senior Member

How are you?
How do you do?

Here are some questions.
1. How are these two different in meaning or situation?
2. Can someone say ‘I’m fine,’ when the other person says ‘How do you do?’?

GEmatt

Senior Member

How are you?
How do you do?

Here are some questions.
1. How are these two different in meaning or situation?
2. Can someone say ‘I’m fine,’ when the other person says ‘How do you do?’?

To me, they don’t seem particularly different, as methods of greeting. But obviously, the first one can be a more pointed question, referring to the other’s well-being, in addition to being a simple greeting. The second one is only a greeting.

«How do you do?» strikes me as relatively formal, although this may be a difference between AE and BE. In any event, it’s always a good idea to respond with a corresponding level of formality, which is why I’d advise against «I’m fine,» in favour of something like «I’m (very) well(, thank you).»

panjandrum

Lapsed Moderator

regal

Senior Member

«How do you do?» is more formal than «How are you?» So, used in different situations indeed.
When you are asked «How do you do?» you ought to answer «How do you do?» too. You can’t answer «Fine» for instance.
But you can answer «Fine» or something else («Horrible». ) when you are asked «How are you?»
Good luck!

user_gary

Banned

I have seen many person asks `how do you do’ when they met.

But could you tell me, what does `how do you do’ mean?

Mister Micawber

Senior Member

Sarah1

Senior Member

Although we never use «how do you do» to ask how somebody is, I suppose the expression (which is another way of saying «pleased to meet you») literally means «How are you doing?»

Lisica

Member

Brioche

Senior Member

The traditional reply to «How do you do?» is «How do you do?»

It’s really just a polite formula.

panjandrum

Lapsed Moderator

Thomas Tompion

Member Emeritus

In BE How do you do? is not a question asking How are you? but a formula of politeness: it’s what you say when you are introduced to someone for the first time.

Apparent Question: How do you do?
Apparent Answer: How do you do?

Of course the inexperienced and the unwary and the foreigners often fall into the obvious trap and answer: I’m very well thank you.

Do you have similar problems in AE? I seem to remember you are very meticulous about making sure you’ve got the other person’s name right, something many of us are probably too vague about.

cholandesa

Senior Member

Very interesting.. lived in England for years but never really realised how this worked..
Thanks for sharing!

cuchuflete

Senior Member

In BE How do you do? is not a question asking How are you? but a formula of politeness: it’s what you say when you are introduced to someone for the first time.

Apparent Question: How do you do?
Apparent Answer: How do you do?

Of course the inexperienced and the unwary and the foreigners often fall into the obvious trap and answer: I’m very well thank you.

Do you have similar problems in AE? I seem to remember you are very meticulous about making sure you’ve got the other person’s name right, something many of us are probably too vague about.

born in newyork

Senior Member

I was taught to say «How do you do?» and to respond in kind when the expression is used on me. As a practical matter, however, I never hear it.

_Leona_

Senior Member

iceskater1286

Member

mplsray

Senior Member

Tresley

Senior Member

When my colleagues and I visited the USA to meet business counterparts that we had never met before we were greeted with:

«Hiya! How y’all doin’ «?

We all just looked at each other, bemused, not knowing whether to reply «pleased to meet you» or «fine, thank you. How are you»?

We just shook hands and none of us said anything. (Was that bad manners? I know it was embarrassing).

I suppose it works both ways. What’s the correct answer to «Hiya! How y’all doin’ «?

I would love to know!

iceskater1286

Member

When my colleagues and I visited the USA to meet business counterparts that we had never met before we were greeted with:

«Hiya! How y’all doin’ «?

We all just looked at each other, bemused, not knowing whether to reply «pleased to meet you» or «fine, thank you. How are you»?

We just shook hands and none of us said anything. (Was that bad manners? I know it was embarrassing).

I suppose it works both ways. What’s the correct answer to «Hiya! How y’all doin’ «?

I would love to know!

caballoschica

Senior Member

It has been ingrained in my brain to respond, «I’m fine, how are you?» to any form of «How are you?»

Tresley, I think either of your answers would have been acceptable. I probably would have answered by saying, «Hi! I’m fine, thank you, how are you?» Or some version of that.

Tresley

Senior Member

Thank you to Icetrance and Caballoschica for your replies.

This unfortunate greeting happened in Atlanta.

My colleagues and I were totally bemused! In the UK it’s normal to say ‘how do you do’ or ‘pleased to meet you’.

Setwale_Charm

Senior Member

In BE How do you do? is not a question asking How are you? but a formula of politeness: it’s what you say when you are introduced to someone for the first time.

Apparent Question: How do you do?
Apparent Answer: How do you do?

Of course the inexperienced and the unwary and the foreigners often fall into the obvious trap and answer: I’m very well thank you.

Do you have similar problems in AE? I seem to remember you are very meticulous about making sure you’ve got the other person’s name right, something many of us are probably too vague about.

user_gary

Banned

Some more dicussions on `how do you do’:

Thomas Tompion

Member Emeritus

Yes, Setwale, I do realize this. Of course, this is a social minefield, and it’s best to know what the conventions are to avoid stepping on something, unless you want to.

Many English people wouldn’t turn a hair at ‘Pleased to meet you’ in response to ‘how do you do?’, but many others would regard it as ill-educated, I’m sorry to say. After the ‘how do you do’s’ are over, of course, you can say things like ‘I’m very pleased to meet you’, but that’s another matter.

love_in_idleness

New Member

travellingsam

New Member

Joelline

Senior Member

GreenWhiteBlue

Banned

If you are using the phrase not as a question about someone’s health, but merely as a standard thing to say upon a formal introduction, one can respond with any other phrase used as a standard formal greeting or introduction.

For example, Mrs. Smith is introducing several people to Mrs. Greatname:

Under such circumstances, the phrase need not be regarded as a genuine question seeking information.

panjandrum

Lapsed Moderator

Terry Morti

Senior Member

dobes

Senior Member

Senior Member

I say, ‘Howdy’ as a greeting all the time, and that word is a shortenning of the phrase: ‘How do you do?’ I never, of course, expect anyone to reply with a telling of their current state. So, generally, I say: ‘Howdy, what’s up?’

One thing, however, is that I think ‘How do you do? What’s up?’ sounds down-right foolish. For this reason, I think, that ‘How do you do?’ is probably a phrase that would be best if not used. I think something like ‘How are you?’ ‘How’s it going?’ or (and yes, this is fowl ) ‘Wazzup?’ In fact, a ‘How art thou?’ might even be better than ‘How do you do?’ simply for the fact that it removes the uncomfortable uncertainty that you place on the respondent (to whom I would assume you are attempting politeness) of trying to figure out whether they should answer or not. consider:

Mr. Q: ‘Hello, J, how do you do?’
Mr. J: ‘I’m do—’
Mr. Q: ‘And Mrs. R? How do you do?’

You see. if Mr. J thinks he needs a response, and Mr. Q thinks it’s a greeting not requiring reply, Mr. Q will keep talking, and Mr. J will accidentally interrupt trying to answer his question, thinking it rude not to answer a question of ‘how are you?’

So. back to the topic, eh? If someone asks you that question, wait a sec. see what they do. don’t just stare at them for a minute, but instead wait just a little second. Do they ask someone else? If you are the only person in the room with the asker, then really, you can answer it however you want. I mean, if someone doesn’t expect a reply of you telling about your state of being, they probably still would not be insanely disgusted that you gave one.

Then again, this probably has no real importance in general social situations. I’d think that going in for an interview for a job would be the only time people would be acting so pompous that they may not hire you just because you answered what they considered to be a rhetorical question.

Mr. Ace: ‘Hello, Bill, how do you do?’
Mr. Bill: ‘Pretty fine. How ’bout yourself?’

That conversation sounds spiffy! I would only make one change.

Mr. Ace: ‘Howdy, Bill, how do you do?’
Mr. Bill: ‘Darn tootin’ fine, I do say so. How ’bout things from your neck of the woods?’

Okay. this is getting long-winded. I’m cutting it off now. sorry for waisting so much time

How To Answer A «How Do You Like. » Question?

Recently I moved to a foreign country for my studies and sometimes the teacher or my friends ask me «How do you like the weather?» or «How do you like the food here?» and I don’t know how I should answer. Is it correct to answer «I like it»?

Possible answers to eg ‘How do you like the weather?’ include
eg It’s fine.
eg I wish it would stop raining.
eg I prefer it warmer.

Anonymous «How do you like the weather?» or «How do you like the food here?» and I don’t know how I should answer

I’ve never seen/tasted better.
It couldn’t be better.

It’s fantastic.
It’s wonderful.

It’s great.
It’s fine.
It’s all right.
It’s OK.
It could be worse.

I’m not used to this kind of [weather / food].
I’m still trying to get used to it.

It’s not very good.

It could be better.
It’s terrible.
It’s awful.
It’s miserable.
It’s horrible.

I don’t like it at all.
I hate it.
It couldn’t be worse.

I’ve never seen/tasted worse.

I like it fine.
I like it just fine.
I like it all right.

I’m not crazy about it.
I can’t stand it.

khoff I think answering «I like it» is fine.

Hi,
I just thought Clive’s answer earlier was a bit misleading. I don’t think there’s anything incorrect about answering «How do you like X?» with «I like it.»

13 Wildly Successful People Answer the Question: “What Do You Do?”

The world’s worst question answered in the best ways.

When you’re a human in midst of reinventing yourself, no question produces angst like the cookie cutter: “So, what do you do?”

One day we’ll collectively choose a better question. Until then, you and I will continue to fight the good fight, attempting to sum up our zig-zagged lives and convoluted careers in a breezy byline that both pleases and delights.

Or we’ll continue to introduce ourselves however we damn well please.

Either way, we can find solace in the fact that some of the most fascinating people alive today struggle with a punchy one-liner as well.

On his podcast, Tim Ferriss asks many of his guests a version of: How do you answer the question, “what do you do?”

Here’s a baker’s dozen of my favorite answers:

1. Kevin Kelly, co-founder of Wired magazine, author of The Inevitable

“These days, my stock answer is that I package ideas into books and magazines and websites, and I make ideas interesting and pretty.”

2. Naval Ravikant, founder of AngelList

“[I answer that question] Very poorly. At heart I’m an entrepreneur. Any day in which I solve the same problem twice in a row, I’m pretty unhappy. So by definition I like to do something different everyday.

The idea that we repeat ourselves, and we specialize and we pigeon hole ourselves is a modern invention, created through specialization of labor and the Industrial Revolution. And hopefully as more and more people move up Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, we’re going to be able to define ourselves much more loosely.

So that’s a good way of dodging your question, now let me actually answer it: My day job is I am co-founder and CEO of AngelList…the reality of what I do on a day-to-day basis is just completely different.”

3. Alain de Botton, philosopher, author, founder of School of Life

“Well, the easiest thing to say is I’m a writer. But that doesn’t really cover it because writers come in all shapes and sizes.

If the conversation is allowed to go on a little longer, what I tend to tell them is I’m interested in emotional intelligence, in emotional health. It’s a kind of topic that broadly pertains to all the things that make life difficult, that are coming from the emotional centers of our brain and functioning.”

4. Maria Popova, founder & writer at Brainpickings.org

“Well, I’ve answered it differently over the years in part because, I think, inhabiting our own identity is a perpetual process…

Right now, I would say I read and I write, in that order. And in between, I do some thinking. And I think about, how to live a meaningful life, basically.”

5. Reid Hoffman, founder of LinkedIn

“Well there’s the short answer and the long answer. The short answer is I’m an entrepreneur and investor — that’s when I want to be really quick and move through the answer.

The long answer is I essentially build, design and improve human eco-systems through software, either as a creator or as an investor and partner. What that means is everything from…Paypal to LinkedIn to Airbnb, each of these things are ways you craft how people find each other, how they interact with each other, how they establish their identity, and how they make progress in their lives.”

6. Paul Levesque (Triple H), pro wrestler & VP at WWE

“It’s funny now because I’m kind of in this weird kind of combo twilight zone of the last bits of my in-ring wrestling career. Even when I did it then, I used to say I was an entertainer. Because people — the WWE’s a weird thing. It’s like one of those things: if you not into it, no explanation can explain it to you to make you like it. And if you are into it, there’s no explanation necessary. It just is what it is. And so to sometimes say, ‘Oh, WWE,’ they would go like, ‘Oh…the wrestling?’ And it just had a weird connotation to it. When you say, ‘Entertainer,’ ‘Oh, what kind?’ ‘Oh, WWE.’ It just took on a different meaning to people that don’t understand what we do. So I always went with that.

Right now, it’s kind of a combo. We have a saying that we use at WWE, which is, ‘Our job is to put smiles on people’s faces.’ And it’s kind of the overall thing of what we do. But I spend 90 percent of my day as an executive.”

7. Will MacAskill, associate professor & co-founder of non-profit 80,000 hours

“Depending on whether I want to be lowkey or not, I’ll tell them I’m associate professor of philosophy at Oxford university. But I’m also one of the co-founders of the effective altruism movement — a community of people dedicated to using their time and money as effectively as possible to making the world a better place.”

8. Brené Brown, research professor, author, power TED speaker

“I actually have two answers. One if I want to keep talking, one if I don’t. If I don’t want to keep talking I’ll usually just say I’m a shame researcher, and usually that scares people. If I’m in a normal conversation I’ll say that I study vulnerability and courage, shame and worthiness.”

9. Sam Harris, neuroscience Ph.D. and author

“Mostly a writer. My background is in neuroscience and philosophy, and I still have a toe in the water of doing research in neuroscience…

So depending on the context, I’m a scientist, but mostly I think of myself as a writer. My interest in neuroscience has always been, from the get-go, was always philosophical and always purposed toward writing and thinking about the human mind.”

10. Jessica Richman, co-founder and CEO of uBiome

“When I go to conferences people ask me that question, I have to back up a bit and start talking about bacteria. Then either people get this really horrified look on their face or they get this very excited look on their face. Most people are not neutral about bacteria. I say, “I run a company that — where we sequence the microbiome. Those are the trillions of bacteria that live on and in our bodies.” Then I pause and wait for the look of horror or excitement to cross over their face to see how much more I should tell them about that.”

11. Derek Sivers, entrepreneur, author & trickster

“Lately when someone asks what I do, I tend to say something like “I don’t know!” or “You know, I’ve never thought about it before.” And that just derails the whole routine of a boring conversation, right? It lets them know we’re not just painting by numbers now.”

12. Michael McCullough, co-founder of QuestBridge and ER physician

“I create and I help people create things. I’m an entrepreneur and investor as well, but I’m an ER physician by training.”

13. Debbie Millman, influential designer & host of Design Matters

“That’s a tough question…Now I say that I’m a designer. And sometimes if I’m feeling wordy I’ll say that I’m a designer and a writer and a podcaster. And sometimes people look at me like, ‘huh?’.

I found when I was working at Sterling Brands…I resolved to just saying when I was filling out what I did on passport applications and things like that, I used to say ‘executive.’ And that made sense.

For a long time on Twitter I had ‘Debbie Millman is a girl’ until enough people said ‘Debbie, you really gotta change that,’ and then I did.”

(Bonus via Copy Blogger) 14. Seth Godin, author & entrepreneur

“I notice things, name them, and sometimes provoke people to make a ruckus.”

Who did I miss? Share in the comments below.