We are going to change it up a little bit today. We are going to

do a little experiment on local Americans,

seeing how they respond to the question "How are you?"

Back in middle school, during English classes, you were taught to say,

"I'm fine thank you and you?"

when you were asked "How are you?"

But only recently, it's been pointed out that

no native speakers respond that way, but is that really true?

Then, how DO they respond?

I'm good. I'm great. I'm OK.

I asked "How are you?" to 12 Americans

who live in L.A.

Note that the Americans who were asked the question were not told what the question was beforehand,

so the response should come out pretty natural.

I have gotten some unexpected responce.

Let's see how Americans respond to the question "How are you?"

Hey Josephine. How (are) you doing?

Hi. How are you?

I'm doing good. Thanks.

Hey Richard. How (are) you doing?

Hey Jun. How are you?

I'm doing good.

What's up?

Nothing much? How's everything going?

Oh I'm fine. I've been busy.

Hey Steve. How are you?

Good.

How (are) you doing?

All right.

Hey Jansen. How are you?

Hey Jun.

How's everything going?

Good.

How about yourself.

I'm doing pretty good man. Thanks.

Hey Chris. How (are) you doing?

Hey Jun.

So what's going on?

Oh nothing much.

Just about to do a class for one of my students.

Hey how (are) you doing, Enrique?

Hey how are you doing man? How's everything?

Good ma. How's it going with you?

Going well. Just here. Just another beautiful day

here in the Torrance area.

How (are) you doing, Ai?

I'm good. How are you?

Not too bad.

Oh that sounds good. I'm hungry.

What are you up to today?

Just ready to celebrate some anniversaries

for my parents.

Hey Chris. How (are) you doing?

Oh hey. What's up man? How's it going bro?

Good man. How (are) you doing?

I'm doing super man. Just chillng out.

Hey Justin.

Hello. How are you?

Good man. How (are) you dong?

Excellent. Excellent.

How's everything going today?

Everything is beautiful. Beauriful day in L.A.

Hey Yoko.

Hi, Jun.

How are you?

Good. How are you guys?

I'm doing pretty good man.

What are you up to?

Nothing. Just hanging out.

Hey Josh.

Hey what's up Jun?

How (are) you doing?

I'm doing all right.

Just checking some text messages.

Albert, how are you doing?

Hey what's up Jun?

What's going on?

Man I'm ready to get my drink on up in here

for BYB's 30th anniversary.

Now, I asked "How are you?" to some of the Japanes people who live in L.A.

This is how they respond.

Hi Masako-san, how are you?

Hi, how are you?

I'm good. How's everything going?

That's good. Nice.

How (are) you doing?

Good. How (are) you doing?

Pretty good man. What are you up to?

Well um I'm here enjoying myself.

How are you?

Hi. Good.

How's everything going?

Yeah I'm a little tired.

A little tired today?

Yeah but it's OK.

HI Koyama-san. How are you?

HI. Great.

How's everythig going today?

Probably(?) great.

Probably great? Are you having a good week?

Yes I do.

9 out of 12 people didn't answer the question "How are you?"

but responded "Hey Jun." or "Hey, how are you?"

In other words, we have found that "How are you?" is

used as a greeting like "Hi / Hello."

Apart from that, there were three people who responded "I'm good."

and one person each for "Excellent." "Super." "Alright." "Fine."

I only asked 12 Americans who live in L.A. in this video,

so it's only a tiny sample,

therefore I can't state anything conclusive here,

but one thing we can say is, the question "How are you?" is

used as "Hello"

People who responded to the question "How are you?" in all kinds of ways

such as "I'm good." "I'm super." "Excellent." "I'm doing alright." "I'm fine."

so there is no one right respond to the question.

The safest way to respond to the quesion would be "I'm good."

but it also depends on your preference,

so pick one that you feel most comfortable saying.

Lastly, I would like to add one more thing. When you want to ask back how they are doing,

don't use "And you?" but use someting like "How are you?" or "How about you?"

They sound more natural.

I have written about what Americans use besides "How are you?" and

how they respond when they greet each other on my blog, so click the link below for details.

How was today's lesson?

If you want to see more videos like this,

please leave a cooment below.

whether something you've always wanted to ask, or something you want to ask Americans,

feel free to ask anything.

It might become the topic of the next video.

Thanks for watching the video lesson today.

Until next time. Take it easy. Peace.