Aom and Joe meet by chance, after not seeing each other for a long time.
Aom: Hello, Joe! long-time no see! It is great to see you again.
Joe: Hi Aom. How are you?
Aom: I'm great. What are you doing here?
Joe: I got tired of living back in England, so I thought I'd come back here again
Aom: Well, its fantastic to see you again
Joe: And you. You haven't changed a bit
Aom: Ha ha, you know me, I'm always the same.
Joe: Are you still working at the same place?
Aom: Yes. I have been there 12 years now
Joe: Are you married or still single?
Aom: Still single. How long are you back for?
Joe: I hope a long time. I have just got a job at the big school in town
Aom: That's great. You are looking really well. How long has it been since we last saw each other?
Joe: Thanks. It must be 2 years now, since I last saw you
Aom: Wow! How time flies past. We should exchange telephone numbers
Joe: I would love that and maybe we can meet for dinner when you are free,
Aom: Great idea and I am free all the time
Joe: Ok! This is my number. How about this Friday?
Aom: That would be nice. I'll call you tonight so we can make arrangements
Joe: Good. I must go now but great to see you again
Aom: And you. Talk to you later. Bye
Other phrases that could be used, for "how are you?"
How are you doing?
How's tricks?
What's happening?
What have you been doing?
What have you been up to?
When you meet someone for the fiirst time or when you have not seen them for a short or long time, you will usually use the following words.
Who? Who are you?
What? What is your name? What have you been doing?
Where? Where are you from? Where have you been?
When? When did you arrive here? When did you get back? When was the last time we met?
Why? Why are you here? Why did you leave?
How? How are you? How have you been?
How long How long since we last met? How long are you staying here for?
When you first meet someone from a western country, it is impolite to ask questions about money, weight, marital status, (single or married). Remember some foreigners are very private people and will not give too much information about themselves on the first meeting.
Many foreigners make the mistake of speaking to people of a different language at the same speed as they would to a friend of their same nationality or language. But if you ask them to speak a little slower, most will.
Joe: Hello. My name is Joe, what is your name?
Aom: My name is Aom,
Joe: It's great to meet you Aom. What do you do? Where are you from?
Aom: Sorry. I only speak a little English, but I can understand if you could speak a little slower for me please?
Joe: I'm sorry. I forget sometimes.
Aom: I am learning to speak English, but it is a little difficult
Joe: Could you tell me what job you do and where you are from please?
Aom: I am a teacher and I come from Thailand
Joe: Thank you.
Aom: I try to listen and understand what people are saying, but when they speak quickly it is very hard for me
Joe: Thank you for the advice I will use that in my classroom when I am teaching
Aom: You are an English teacher?
Joe: Yes! At the local school
Aom: Could you help me to speak English please?
Joe: Yes, I can. This is my number, contact me when you are ready?
Aom: Thank you for understanding and I will call you soon.
Phrases to use if you do not understand what someone is trying to say
Excuse me could you repeat that again but a little slower?
I'm sorry I did not understand what you said.
Pardon me. Could you say that again please?