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B2-12 / CEFR B2 / EPISODE 12

Cultural Orientation

Interpreting a greeting in context

SceneTina is leading a small-group orientation for international students who just arrived on campus. Her topic: the unspoken rules.

Tina speaking to a group of international students.
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STORY English with optional Japanese translations

Narrator

Tina is leading a small-group orientation for international students who just arrived on campus. Her topic: the unspoken rules.

ティナは、着いたばかりの留学生のための少人数オリエンテーションを進行している。テーマは、暗黙のルールだ。

Tina01

Okay, before we start — anything confusing you so far?

じゃあ、始める前に——ここまでで何か戸惑ってることはある？

Student02

Yes. People say "How are you?" and keep walking before I can answer. Is that rude?

はい。こっちの人って「How are you?」って言って、私が答える前に歩いて行っちゃうんです。あれって失礼じゃないんですか？

Tina03

Not necessarily. If they say it while walking past, it's usually just a greeting, not a request for your whole story.

必ずしも失礼とは限らないわ。すれ違いざまなら、たいていは挨拶で、詳しい近況を全部聞こうとしているわけじゃないの。

Student04

So what do I say?

じゃあ、何て答えればいいんですか？

Tina05

Try "Good, you?" They can say "Good," and you can both keep walking.

「Good, you?（元気、そっちは？）」でいいわ。相手も「Good」って返せるし、二人とも歩き続けられるでしょ。

Student06

But what if someone really wants to know?

でも、本当に知りたがってる人だったら？

Tina07

They may pause to listen or ask, "How's your first week going?" That's a sign you can say more.

足を止めて話を聞いてくれたり、「最初の一週間はどう？」って続けて聞いてきたりするわ。もっと話していい合図ね。

Student08

Did you know that when you first came?

ティナさんは、来たばかりの頃からそれを知ってたんですか？

Tina09

Not at all. I'd say, "Good question! Let me give you the full story. Part one: breakfast."

全然。「いい質問ね！最初から全部話すわね。第一部、朝ごはん」って答えてたの。

Student10

To everyone?

全員にですか？

Tina11

The barista. My professor. One man in an elevator said, "I'll take the stairs." I was only on part two.

バリスタさんにも。教授にも。エレベーターでは、男の人に「階段で行きます」って言われたわ。まだ第二部だったのに。

Student12

So how did you finally learn?

じゃあ、どうやって覚えたんですか？

Tina13

A friend told me. Her exact words: "Tina, 'How are you?' doesn't need a table of contents."

友達が教えてくれたの。そのままの言葉で言うと、「ティナ、『元気？』に目次はいらないよ」。

WORDS & CONTEXT

Words & context

“How are you?” / “Good, you?”

In the United States, How are you? often functions as a greeting rather than a request for a detailed health or life update. Staff, colleagues, or passing acquaintances may say it while walking. Brief replies include Good, you? and Good, thanks. How are you? If someone stops to listen or asks specific follow-up questions, that signals room for more detail. Context and reactions matter; answers need not always be short. Tina was reporting her day starting with “Part One: Breakfast,” so a friend told her that no table of contents was needed.

“Not necessarily.”

Not necessarily. qualifies a claim instead of rejecting it absolutely. It leaves room for exceptions and is useful in conversation. Here the answer explains that a passing How are you? is not necessarily rude and is usually just a greeting. The doctor also uses the expression in B2-38.

“I'll take the stairs.”

The man in the elevator faces Tina's lengthy “Part One” and exits with I'll take the stairs. It is a gentle escape through another action rather than a direct complaint that she talks too much. Tina, still sincerely answering How are you?, does not notice and tries to continue.

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