Hello Is Such a Nice Word

Posted 14 Comments by dogear6

Recently, my fellow blogger JudithB had an interesting post on words in which she listed her choice of the ten best words in the English language.  Of course that got me thinking what my ten best words would be!  I only have four so far – this is going to take some thought – but one of them was the word hello.

The greeting “hello” is so often one with warmth and affection in it, especially when between family, old friends, or co-workers.  On the phone, I find it’s impersonal and often more of a question – hello?  But in person, it’s hard to say hello and not give a smile at the same time.  The more casual “hi” does the same, but is not always appropriate to the occasion.  “Howdy” is too informal, “greetings” is too formal and stuffy and “greetings earthling” a bit juvenile.  It’s still good though to yank someone’s chain, no matter what your age.

And of course, a simple hello is a great ice breaker.  I’ve acknowledged someone or vice versa and it’s time to talk.  Good manners suggest some chitchat before getting down to business, a skill I’ve had to work at.  But I also find people genuinely appreciate it when I remember to ask about their family or follow-up something personal they shared with me (how was the weekend trip, did the dog settle down).

For me, a nice hello and smile, with some light chat goes a long way to good relationships and interactions with other.

For some interesting thoughts on how your attitude can impact others, check out this interesting post at hurdestohappiness.  I have a comment further down on how I smile into the phone as I talk and how I think it makes a difference.

My other words at this time are home and patience.  Help is a possibility, but I’m not sure.

Over at A Daily Life, I shared my thoughts on using prompts as a writing aid.  Are  you looking for some encouragement on writing or creativity?  Check the categories while you’re there.

When you come into my house, expect a big hello from the boys as well as getting frisked for treats.  Can you tell he’s barely past being a puppy?  He’s quite a bit smaller and of course, there’s no white hair on his face.

Life Lessons

dogear6 View All →

I am a backyard adventurer, philosopher and observer, recording my life in journals and photographs. Visit my blog at www.livingtheseasons.com.

14 Comments Leave a comment ›

  1. I try to remember to smile when I answer the phone. It does make a difference.
    Thanks for the pingback I do appreciate it. And if this comment appears in your SPAM folder I think I may howl like one of the dogs. :)

    • Let me get the tape recorder – okay, it’s on – start howling!! Yeah, you were in spam again. Grrr. . . .

      You’re welcome for the pingback. It was a great post, although I’m still not up to ten words. I looked at it again this afternoon in fact.

  2. I also love the word Hello. It is better to hear “Hello” on the phone, than “Yes”. That just throws me. Hello opens up the world of possibilities and makes me feel good, when I hear it or say it.

    • Thanks Kate! Goodbye is both bad and good; there are things (sometimes people, but not always) that I’m ready to say goodbye to.

      As much as I disliked the final goodbye to my grandmother, she held on too long. There was no quality of life for nearly a decade before she actually passed. And when we moved out of Ohio? That was a goodbye I loved saying. I did like not living there.

  6. My side-kick was talking to the photo as I read. :)

    I too have had to learn, well to be honest I’m still learning, to practice the art of “chit chat” before jumping into my agenda. Thanks for the reminder!

    • I thought she’d enjoy it. One thing about chit chat and some social skills is it really helps smooth over offenses, but it sure took me a long time to learn that. We learn every day, don’t we?

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