How's it going?

[Anonymous]

In China's English textbooks, the greetings include:
Hi, Hello, How are you. And the reply for How are you is
something like "I am fine, thank you, and you?"

But in Canada/USA, I heard more often "how are you doing?"
and its reply is mostly "good." Another greeting "How's it going?"
seems getting more and more into my ears.

My questions: Any difference between "How are you doing and
How's it going?" What are the usual replies for the latter?

The British say differrent greetings than the above or the same?
Many thanks!

[RonBee]

In China's English textbooks, the greetings include:
Hi, Hello, How are you. And the reply for How are you is
something like "I am fine, thank you, and you?"

But in Canada/USA, I heard more often "how are you doing?"
and its reply is mostly "good." Another greeting "How's it going?"
seems getting more and more into my ears.

My questions: Any difference between "How are you doing and
How's it going?" What are the usual replies for the latter?

The British say differrent greetings than the above or the same?
Many thanks!

There is little difference, if any, between "How are you doing?" and "How's it going?" The expected response would generally, IMHO, be the same.

The British greetings are the same to some extent, but I think there are probably some differences between the Brits and the Americans and also within the UK.

8)

[shane]

In China's English textbooks, the greetings include:
Hi, Hello, How are you. And the reply for How are you is
something like "I am fine, thank you, and you?"

But in Canada/USA, I heard more often "how are you doing?"
and its reply is mostly "good." Another greeting "How's it going?"
seems getting more and more into my ears.

My questions: Any difference between "How are you doing and
How's it going?" What are the usual replies for the latter?

The British say differrent greetings than the above or the same?
Many thanks!

This has always been a pet hate of mine here in China. Regardless of who I speak to, the answer will *always* be "I'm fine thank you, and you?" even if that person is unwell, tired, or whatever.
I find that if I walk into a class and ask "how's it going?", the students will sit there puzzled! So that gives me something to do in the classroom; teach them various other greetings used in an English conversation.

Rote learning has often caused problems for students, in that they are unable to deviate from a set pattern; leading to frustating conversations; here's an example:

If I ask first "How are you?" they will reply "I'm fine thank you, and you?" (all 60 students replying in synch with each other).
If they ask me first "How are you?" and I then reply "I'm fine thank you, how are you?", they will answer back: "I'm fine thank you, and you?" They assume that because my answer included the line "how are you?" they must give the formatted response; even though they have already answered that question!

On another note, I also like to ask my class to give me another way of saying "so-so". It keeps them thinking for ages; they can't think of one (except "just so-so")!

Shane

[pamir]

Hi, Shane

Good for you teaching English in China. Our way of learning
English seems to be cut off from the real situation in English speaking
countries. China really needs English teachers like you.

[RonBee]

A variation.

A: How are you doing?
B: Not too well.
A: I'm sorry to hear that.

Another variation.

A: How are you doing?
B: Not too well.
A: I'm sorry to hear that. What's the matter?
B: I've been feeling under the weather lately. I think I'm coming down with a cold.
A: Perhaps you should see a doctor. In the meantime, have you tried some hot tea?
B: No, I haven't. Do you think that would help?
A: It couldn't hurt. Would you like me to bring some by?
B: That would be very kind of you.

8)

[Tdol]

In China's English textbooks, the greetings include:
Hi, Hello, How are you. And the reply for How are you is
something like "I am fine, thank you, and you?"

But in Canada/USA, I heard more often "how are you doing?"
and its reply is mostly "good." Another greeting "How's it going?"
seems getting more and more into my ears.

My questions: Any difference between "How are you doing and
How's it going?" What are the usual replies for the latter?

The British say differrent greetings than the above or the same?
Many thanks!

It's just one of many ways of asking and answering an enquiry when meeting someone. In Britain, we also use 'How are you doing?', 'How are things' and many others. The answers, too, aren't so formulaic- you'll hear people say things like 'mustn't complain' in reply.