In the real conversation I wouldn't go with that short answer when you meet somebody for the first time.
It may give the wrong first impression about you. Although, short answers work okay when you get to know each other.
When somebody say that, they stress 'meet' and you can answer with the same line stressing 'you' instead.
- 'Nice to meet you'.
- 'Nice to meet you'.
Other possible answers
- 'Nice meeting you'.
- 'It was a pleasure to meet you'.
- 'Pleasure'.
- 'My pleasure'.
What I meant is that the short answer like 'you too' might be understood by the person who you first met that you didn't enjoy meeting them and you don't even bother hiding that fact.
This is my personal perception. Not a teacher, not a native speaker.
It wouldn't suggest that to me and I don't see why it should. Shortening/abbreviating a sentence isn't a sign of rudeness or disrespect or anything similar.
I didn't say anything about it being rude or disrespectful. It just that short answers may be seen as lack of interpersonal skills.
I've seen smart people were not hired because they couldn't articulate well enough.
Example 1:
- It was nice to meet you Alexander. Thanks for your time.
- It's been my pleasure. I appreciate the opportunity and hope you find just the right candidate for this position.
Example 2:
- It was nice to meet you Alexander. Good luck!
- You too.
If you would feel the same about the person replying as in those two examples, then this is the end of story and I don't have anything else to add.
P.S. May be it's different in the UK than in the US.
Yes and no. If the exchange came at the end of a meeting/chat/get-together etc, then it wouldn't extend beyond "[Well, it was] Nice to meet you", "You too". The people might well part company directly after that exchange.
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