Page 567 - Practical English Usage 3ed - Michael Swan, Oxford

3 asking about health etc
When we meet people we know, we often ask politely about their health or their general situation.
How are you? How's it going? (informal)
How are things? / How's things? (informal) How (are) you doing? Formal answers:
Very well, thank you. And you? Fine, thank you.
Informal answers:
Fine/Great, thanks. All right. (It) could be worse. OK Not too bad. Mustn't grumble. So-so. (NOT 56 anti 86.)
British people do not usually ask How are you? when they are introduced to people. And neither British nor American people begin letters to strangers by asking about health (see 146).
4 special greetings
Greetings for special occasions are:
Happy birthday! (OR Many happy returns!)
Happy New Year / Easter!
Happy/Merry Christmas! Happy anniversary!
Congratulations on your exam results / new job etc (NOT C8ngrwh:titfflfm
tm-.. .)
5 small talk
British people often begin polite conversations by talking about the weather.
Nice day, isn't it?-Lovely.
6 getting people's attention
Excuse me! is commonly used to attract somebody's attention, or to call a waiter in a restaurant. We do not normally say Excuse me, sir/madam (see 363.2).
7 apologies
British people say Excuse me before interrupting or disturbing somebody, and Sorry after doing so. Compare:
Excuse 11W. Could 1 get past? Oh, sorry, did 1 step on your foot?
Excuse me, could you tell me the way to the station?
Americans also use Excuse me to apologise after disturbing somebody. 1 beg your pardon is a more formal way of saying ·Sorry'.
1 beg your pardon. 1 didn't realise this was your seat.
S asking people to repeat
If people do not hear or understand what is said, they may say Sorry? (BrE), What? (informal), (I beg your) pardon? or Pardon me? (AmE).
Mike's on the phone.- Sorry?- 1said Mike's on the phone. Seeyoutomorrow.- What?- Seeyoutomorrow.
You're going deaf. - 1 beg your pardon?
'social' language 545
page 535