Formal register communication

Natella

today

Formal register communication

My English teacher says that in a formal register of communication, when people meet for the first time, they say to each other:
Partner A: How do you do!
Partner B replies: How do you do!
My teacher says that it is unacceptable for Partner B to reply with something like: Everything is good, or I'm fine, thank you...
Recently, in a 1977 movie, I heard the following dialogue:
Partner A:
How do you do!
Partner B replies: I'm very well, thank you.
Perhaps the movie uses an outdated form of usage, or it's a more informal style of communication.
Please explain the appropriateness and correctness of using these expressions.
And, if it’s not too much trouble, please write which country you live in.
Thank you!

Мой преподаватель по английскому языку говорит, что в формальном регистре общения , когда люди встречаются в первый раз они говорят друг другу:
Партнёр А: How do you do!
Партнер Б отвечает: How do you do!
Мой преподаватель утверждает, что недопустимо партнеру Б отвечать, что -то в этом духе: Everything is good, или I'm fine, thank you...
Недавно в фильме 1977 года выпуска я услышала такой диалог:
Партнёр А:
How do you do!
Партнер Б отвечает: I'm very well, thank you.
Возможно в фильме используется устаревшая форма употребления, либо это более неформальный стиль общения.
И, если Вам не затруднит, напишите пожалуйста, в какой стране Вы живете

en 1

Correct

Corrections

riddlememiss

Formal register communication

My English teacher says that in a formal register of communication, when people meet for the first time, they say to each other:

Partner A: How do you do!

Partner B replies:

How do you do!

My teacher says that it is unacceptable for Partner B to reply with something like:

Everything is good, or I'm fine, thank you...

Recently, in a 1977 movie, I heard the following dialogue:

How do you do!

Partner B replies:

I'm very well, thank you.

Perhaps the movie uses an outdated form of usage, or it's a more informal style of communication.

Please explain the appropriateness and correctness of using these expressions.

And, if it’s not too much trouble, please write which country you live in.

Thank you!

Feedback

From the northern US:

My first instinct is that your teacher is either completely wrong or very outdated. I can't even picture in my head the tone of voice that Person B would use when saying, "How do you do" because it seems so unnatural to me! But I did some Googling, and apparently your teacher is giving the traditional advice.

However, I think at least in the US, the movie's dialogue is much more accurate to these days! Well, I rarely even here people say "How do you do", but if they did, like if I was at a fancy gala, I would probably respond with something like "I'm very well, thank you. How are you?" But maybe I'm unsophisticated!

I will also add that it's fairly common to hear "How are you?" "How are you?", but it's more like when I pass a coworker in the hallway. We're not really stopping to chat, just greeting each other quickly with a smile of acknowledgement as we pass.

But people can be funny about formality! Another interesting question is how to respond to "Thank you." There are so many ways, and some (stuffy) older folks will get annoyed if you respond with anything but "You're welcome." But I usually say, "No problem" or "Sure thing." To me, "You're welcome" sounds like I expect that they *should* be thanking me, and "No problem" implies that they didn't need to thank me, I'm happy to do it. Sometimes these things really depend on the individual!

riddlememiss

today

Also, fun fact: In the southern US they sometimes say, "Howdy!" This is an abbreviation of "How do you do" and definitely not a question. You would respond "Howdy" back. It's also not formal.

Natella

today

I think you are awesome!
Thank you for giving me so much time! You have been a very valuable contribution to my English learning.

Formal register communication