ifall 0 #1 November 26, 2008 This is a serious question. I know a lot of other non-American English speaking countries say it but I'm curious as to if it is used in South African culture. I'm trying to be polite to someone I will need to correspond with through work who I found out is from South Africa. I know its not the same but often when I speak with an Indian colleague I say hello, thank you and how are you doing in Hindi which caught him by surprise the first time I did it. Thanks! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Skyrad 0 #2 November 26, 2008 Yes, they do say Cheers in South Africa but more often its as a means of saying goodbye or 'see you later' than thanks. Although people use it to say thanks too.When an author is too meticulous about his style, you may presume that his mind is frivolous and his content flimsy. Lucius Annaeus Seneca Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Skyrad 0 #3 November 26, 2008 Are they Afrikaans or English white South Africans? Or are they black or coloured? (Different tribes have different languages, even the white tribes)When an author is too meticulous about his style, you may presume that his mind is frivolous and his content flimsy. Lucius Annaeus Seneca Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Squeak 17 #4 November 26, 2008 Howzit You are not now, nor will you ever be, good enough to not die in this sport (Sparky) My Life ROCKS! How's yours doing? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Skyrad 0 #5 November 26, 2008 Bye lekker danke, en self?When an author is too meticulous about his style, you may presume that his mind is frivolous and his content flimsy. Lucius Annaeus Seneca Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites ifall 0 #6 November 26, 2008 This is an English speaking white African. I guess I just want to know the proper or semi-formal/friendly way to say hello and goodbye. I had worked with some cameramen one year when I helped set up all the sound boards, ran wire to and from trailers and other misc stuff for the ATP when it came to town and I think I recall them using it a bit but the company I contracted with was from the UK so I thought I may be wrong. Thanks! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Skyrad 0 #7 November 26, 2008 As Squeak used it so well, Howzit? is a common greeting in South Africa amoung many South Africans, its informal and friendly.When an author is too meticulous about his style, you may presume that his mind is frivolous and his content flimsy. Lucius Annaeus Seneca Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites ifall 0 #8 November 26, 2008 Great!! Thanks you two! I think I'll use both howzit and cheers! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Skyrad 0 #9 November 26, 2008 Its a pleasure. When an author is too meticulous about his style, you may presume that his mind is frivolous and his content flimsy. Lucius Annaeus Seneca Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites tumbler 0 #10 November 27, 2008 I work with a Mexico National that uses "cheers" and "lads" all the time. It is funny... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites galvar2439 0 #11 November 27, 2008 Quote This is a serious question. I know a lot of other non-American English speaking countries say it but I'm curious as to if it is used in South African culture. I'm trying to be polite to someone I will need to correspond with through work who I found out is from South Africa. I know its not the same but often when I speak with an Indian colleague I say hello, thank you and how are you doing in Hindi which caught him by surprise the first time I did it. Thanks! Was married to an Afikaan woman and still use "Howzit and cheers" with out even thinking. Damn! now i want Biltong and Nandos chiicken.So i just broke up with this woman who wasn't even my girlfriend! Hellfish #782, POPS #10664 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites gainer 0 #12 November 27, 2008 If you are the foreigner and you are polite in saying hallo or goodbye then it is seen as being polite and friendly. When you say "Howzit my China" and you don't know the person then no. Cheers I use mainly when I say goodbye and I am South African. I don't know of any other way of saying cheers as a greeting except when you clink beer and say "cheers". And yeah, Howzit mainly means hi, but as a foreigner I am not so sure you should use it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Erroll 49 #13 November 28, 2008 Quote If you are the foreigner and you are polite in saying hallo or goodbye then it is seen as being polite and friendly. When you say "Howzit my China" and you don't know the person then no. Cheers I use mainly when I say goodbye and I am South African. I don't know of any other way of saying cheers as a greeting except when you clink beer and say "cheers". And yeah, Howzit mainly means hi, but as a foreigner I am not so sure you should use it. Agreed, although I learnt to also say 'cheers' for 'thank you' while on extended stays in England. Cheers. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites galvar2439 0 #14 November 28, 2008 They also Fuck every other word, pronounced Fook.So i just broke up with this woman who wasn't even my girlfriend! Hellfish #782, POPS #10664 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Skyrad 0 #15 November 28, 2008 Sure she wasn't from Glasgow?When an author is too meticulous about his style, you may presume that his mind is frivolous and his content flimsy. Lucius Annaeus Seneca Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites galvar2439 0 #16 November 28, 2008 QuoteThey also say Fuck every other word, pronounced Fook.So i just broke up with this woman who wasn't even my girlfriend! Hellfish #782, POPS #10664 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Join the conversation You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible. Reply to this topic... × Pasted as rich text. Paste as plain text instead Only 75 emoji are allowed. × Your link has been automatically embedded. Display as a link instead × Your previous content has been restored. Clear editor × You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL. Insert image from URL × Desktop Tablet Phone Submit Reply 0
Skyrad 0 #2 November 26, 2008 Yes, they do say Cheers in South Africa but more often its as a means of saying goodbye or 'see you later' than thanks. Although people use it to say thanks too.When an author is too meticulous about his style, you may presume that his mind is frivolous and his content flimsy. Lucius Annaeus Seneca Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Skyrad 0 #3 November 26, 2008 Are they Afrikaans or English white South Africans? Or are they black or coloured? (Different tribes have different languages, even the white tribes)When an author is too meticulous about his style, you may presume that his mind is frivolous and his content flimsy. Lucius Annaeus Seneca Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Squeak 17 #4 November 26, 2008 Howzit You are not now, nor will you ever be, good enough to not die in this sport (Sparky) My Life ROCKS! How's yours doing? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Skyrad 0 #5 November 26, 2008 Bye lekker danke, en self?When an author is too meticulous about his style, you may presume that his mind is frivolous and his content flimsy. Lucius Annaeus Seneca Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ifall 0 #6 November 26, 2008 This is an English speaking white African. I guess I just want to know the proper or semi-formal/friendly way to say hello and goodbye. I had worked with some cameramen one year when I helped set up all the sound boards, ran wire to and from trailers and other misc stuff for the ATP when it came to town and I think I recall them using it a bit but the company I contracted with was from the UK so I thought I may be wrong. Thanks! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Skyrad 0 #7 November 26, 2008 As Squeak used it so well, Howzit? is a common greeting in South Africa amoung many South Africans, its informal and friendly.When an author is too meticulous about his style, you may presume that his mind is frivolous and his content flimsy. Lucius Annaeus Seneca Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ifall 0 #8 November 26, 2008 Great!! Thanks you two! I think I'll use both howzit and cheers! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Skyrad 0 #9 November 26, 2008 Its a pleasure. When an author is too meticulous about his style, you may presume that his mind is frivolous and his content flimsy. Lucius Annaeus Seneca Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tumbler 0 #10 November 27, 2008 I work with a Mexico National that uses "cheers" and "lads" all the time. It is funny... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
galvar2439 0 #11 November 27, 2008 Quote This is a serious question. I know a lot of other non-American English speaking countries say it but I'm curious as to if it is used in South African culture. I'm trying to be polite to someone I will need to correspond with through work who I found out is from South Africa. I know its not the same but often when I speak with an Indian colleague I say hello, thank you and how are you doing in Hindi which caught him by surprise the first time I did it. Thanks! Was married to an Afikaan woman and still use "Howzit and cheers" with out even thinking. Damn! now i want Biltong and Nandos chiicken.So i just broke up with this woman who wasn't even my girlfriend! Hellfish #782, POPS #10664 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gainer 0 #12 November 27, 2008 If you are the foreigner and you are polite in saying hallo or goodbye then it is seen as being polite and friendly. When you say "Howzit my China" and you don't know the person then no. Cheers I use mainly when I say goodbye and I am South African. I don't know of any other way of saying cheers as a greeting except when you clink beer and say "cheers". And yeah, Howzit mainly means hi, but as a foreigner I am not so sure you should use it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Erroll 49 #13 November 28, 2008 Quote If you are the foreigner and you are polite in saying hallo or goodbye then it is seen as being polite and friendly. When you say "Howzit my China" and you don't know the person then no. Cheers I use mainly when I say goodbye and I am South African. I don't know of any other way of saying cheers as a greeting except when you clink beer and say "cheers". And yeah, Howzit mainly means hi, but as a foreigner I am not so sure you should use it. Agreed, although I learnt to also say 'cheers' for 'thank you' while on extended stays in England. Cheers. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
galvar2439 0 #14 November 28, 2008 They also Fuck every other word, pronounced Fook.So i just broke up with this woman who wasn't even my girlfriend! Hellfish #782, POPS #10664 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Skyrad 0 #15 November 28, 2008 Sure she wasn't from Glasgow?When an author is too meticulous about his style, you may presume that his mind is frivolous and his content flimsy. Lucius Annaeus Seneca Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
galvar2439 0 #16 November 28, 2008 QuoteThey also say Fuck every other word, pronounced Fook.So i just broke up with this woman who wasn't even my girlfriend! Hellfish #782, POPS #10664 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
