Hi, just heard this exchange on Netflix: “How do you do”? – “Fine, thanks”. Is anyone really still using the phrase ‘how do you do’ and if so, is the correct response really ‘fine, thanks’?[YSaerTTEW443543]
TOEIC listening, question-response: What was your former occupation?[YSaerTTEW443543]
For me it is a conventional greeting and invariably elicits a repetition of the same from the other person.
Yes, as Alan says, it should be reciprocal. And this particular greeting is used only on the first meeting or introduction, I think.
A to B: How do you do?
B to A: How do you do?
I think it was a Spanish series and I was watching in English which means the exchange might just have been translated improperly although this is rather unlikely since the dubbing is done by professionals.[YSaerTTEW443543]
TOEIC listening, question-response: Does Helen know how to use Excel?[YSaerTTEW443543]
It’s not confined to Spain alone. Many Indian speakers mistake the expression for ‘How are you?’/‘How are you doing?’, and answer it as if the listener was asked after (his well-being). Further, professional dubbers need not always bother about grammar and usage.
I’m sure the script was not dubbed by Spaniards but by Americans and they sure wouldn’t make such a blatant mistake if it were one.[YSaerTTEW443543]
TOEIC listening, question-response: Where did you get that outfit?[YSaerTTEW443543]
In my view, it depends on the script writer, Torsten. That person could be a non English or a non American or even a Spaniard.
No, the scripts have been translated and edited by professional native speakers of English.[YSaerTTEW443543]
TOEIC listening, question-response: Why aren’t you answering your phone?[YSaerTTEW443543]
Then they are mistaken!
To chime in, to my knowledge this is not really used in the US any more. I can’t remember anyone ever saying it to me. “How have you been” / “How are you doing” are common though, but the answer is “Fine, how ‘bout you?”