You Say Goodbye; I Say Hello

Earlier this year, I spent a fair amount of time researching data about a multi-generational workplace. It was both interesting and enlightening the nuggets of information I uncovered and discovered. Something rather fun I came across more recently has to do with greetings and farewells, depending upon the particular generation. For example, welcome greetings commonly used by the four different generations, as shown below, include:

• Silents/Traditionalists: Hello
• Baby Boomers:  Hi
• Gen X: Hey
• Millennials: Sup

Along those same lines, some commonly used farewells include:

• Silents/Traditionalists: Good-bye
• Baby Boomers: Bye
• Gen X: Later
• Millennials: Out

So, what do you say when you're greeting someone in a job interview or business meeting? Do you say any of the above, or something else? Even though I'm a Boomer, frequently I say hey in informal or casual situations; in professional or more formal meetings and interactions, I definitely say hello, hi, or hi there. When greeting our three Millennial children, I tend to gravitate toward their familiar greeting of hey or what's up. (And yes, Aunt Bertha, I got an A in English and most days, I do try to do it justice.) : - )  I do find, however, that I seem to select a greeting / farewell that best (and most appropriately) fits the occasion. For example, if I had the pleasure of meeting the new Chamber of Commerce Board President, a Baby Boomer, I don't think I'd be saying Sup Dude.

When you say farewell to someone, which, if any, of the above farewells do you choose. Or, do you say something else altogether...adieu, adios, arrivederci, au Revoire, auf wiedersehen, bye, bye-bye, cheers, cheerio, ciao, good-by, goodby, good-bye, goodbye, good day, sayonara, see you later, so long, ta-ta, or toodle-oo?

Millennials and Gen Xers, how do you like to be greeted in a professional interview setting? Boomers and Silents, what greeting do you prefer?

posted by: billiesucher

Comments

[Resume Service]

I often hear "Hi, nice to meet you" in professional situations or "Hello, nice to meet you." Personally, I think "Hi" works in just about every situation. As for "Sup?" I'm not too sure about that one!

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