Small Talk & Politeness
Americans are generally more open and talkative than Germans. "How are you?" is not a real question — the expected answer is "Good, thanks! And you?"
| Situation | Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Greeting | What's up? / How's it going? | How are you? (Answer: "Not much" / "Good!") |
| Farewell | Have a good one! | Have a nice day! |
| Thanks | Appreciate it! | I appreciate it! |
| Apology | Excuse me / My bad | Sorry / My mistake |
| Agreement | Absolutely! / For sure! | Definitely! |
| Enthusiasm | That's awesome! | That's great! |
Tip: "You guys" is gender-neutral and means "all of you". "Sir" and "Ma'am" are frequently used in the South — shows respect.
