How to Begin a Conversation

[AnneTrinh]

Hi!

At school we were taught to use the following polite expressions when we want to attract someone's attention and begin a conversation:

Formally: "Excuse me, Sir/Madam/Mr. ...", "Sorry to interrupt, but may I ask ..."
Informally, but still very politely: "Excuse me, John/Marie, do you know where ...", "Hi! John/Marie, could you kindly..."

In another social setting, where politeness is not necessarily required, (e.g., when we have to talk to bad guys at a night club, members of a gang of drug dealers, or pickpockets), what should we say? Can we say something like "Hey, you!", "Hey, guys!"? What should we say in order to be socio-linguistically appropriate?

This is just for my knowledge. I'm a non-native speaker of English, and I'd appreciate very much your kind help.

AnneTrinh

[Tdol]

It depends on what you want to say to them. If you want them to leave, then something like 'Oi' would work- it attracts attention and lacks social graces. If you wanted to trade with them, then something like 'Hi' would be more suitable.

[AnneTrinh]

Thanks a lot, tdol. Still, could you give some more options? Would "Oi, you!", or "Hey, guy!" be ok, if we want to address to a particular guy or member of the gang?

Anne

[rewboss]

"Oi, you!" is British and can be quite rude. It often expresses impatience or anger, as in:

"Oi, you! Follow that car!" (to a taxi driver in a moment of high drama in an action movie)

"Oi, you! Come back!" (to a pickpocket who's just run off with your money)

[AnneTrinh]

Thanks a lot, rewboss. Have a nice day!

Anne