how do you do
Polite initial inquiry
How do you do is a formal greeting, essentially equivalent to "hello" but more ceremonious.
Unlike "how are you," it traditionally expects no real answer—the proper response is simply "how do you do" in return.
The phrase sounds old-fashioned or British to American ears: The ambassador extended his hand and said, "How do you do?"
- greetingExpression of welcome
- smilePleased facial expression
- tip of the hatGesture of acknowledgment
- helloCommon spoken greeting
- good afternoonDaytime greeting phrase
formal greetings · good evening · stilted · good morning · pleasantries · drawing room · afternoon tea · polite society · politeness · social graces · proper etiquette · calling card · salutation · first impression · receiving line · cordiality · Victorian · antiquated
- Pleasantriesplease, thanks, sorry, excuse me, hello
- greetingshi, hello, hey, hola, aloha
- polite phrasesplease, yes sir, hello, no sir, sorry
- Salutationsgreetings, hello, good morning, good afternoon, good evening
- Old Greetingsgood morrow, fare thee well, hail, well met, what ho
- mannersetiquette, manners, polite, rude, politeness