Lesson 2. Learn more about greetings and introductions
Watch the video closely
Useful Expressions for greeting and introducing in the video
The video is from the movie No Hard Feelings. The scene is an interview between Maddie and the couple Allison and Laird.
The couple ask:
Tell us about yourself: "Please talk about your life, your job, or what you like to do."
Where are you from?: "What is your home city or country?"
How old are you?: "What is your age?" (Note: In the video, Allison adds "...like... right now?" to be more specific about her current age)
This is how Maddie handles the questions:
I am from here, actually: "I live in this town. I am a local person, not a visitor."
I just turned 29 recently: "My 29th birthday was just a short time ago."
I am one more year older: "I am 30 years old." (Adding one year to the previous number mentioned).
How old are you?
In English, the question structure "How + adjective ... ?" is pretty common to ask for specific measurements or details.
Example: How tall are you? I'm 170 centimeters (tall). How high is Mount Everest? It is 8848 meters (high).
How long is a lifetime? Some people say it is 60 years (long).
How to say who you are or are not?
In the video clip, Laird says: "We have the utmost respect for sex workers" because he thinks that Maddie is a sex worker. Maddie answers: "I am not a sex worker."
We can use the verb "to be" to talk about our job, who we are, or who we are not. The verb "to be" has three different forms (am/is/are) in present time depends on the subject.
I am not an office worker. I am a freelancer.
She is a teacher. He is not a doctor.
They are students.
We can also use the phrase "to work as" to describe what we do.
I work as a freelancer.
She works as a nurse at a local hospital.
I don't work as a marketing manager anymore.
"Work as" focuses on the role or function, while "to be" focuses on identity. Both are natural and common.
Other natural expressions
Any trouble finding the place?: "Was it difficult for you to find this house?"
Am I saying that right?: Use this when you are not sure if you are pronouncing a word correctly. Utmost/Utmost respect for...: "Utmost" means the highest or greatest. Having "utmost respect" means you respect someone very, very much.
Not that...: (e.g., "Not that there's anything wrong with that") Used to clarify that you are not judging someone or that you don't have a negative opinion about something.
I am jealous of you: "I want what you have because it is very good." (In the video, she is jealous because Maddie lives in a beautiful place).
Get to do something: "To have the special chance or opportunity to do something fun or comfortable." Slightly (before adjective): (e.g., slightly older) This means "a little bit.
Practice
Activity: Listen and repeat
Repeat until it feels natural. Record yourself if you can.
Script:
Hey! I’m Oliver. I just turned 20 this year. And I’m a student. Nice to meet you!
Hello! I’m Lily. I’m from Britain. And I’m an accountant.
Hi! I’m Noah. I’m American. I’m 35 years old. And I’m an engineer.
Hello. I’m Tin. I just turned 31 in January. I’m from Vietnam. And I’m a teacher. Nice to meet you!
Activity: Apply
Write a short introduction (4 to 6 lines) about yourself using the expressions from the lessons. Then say it out loud.
Suggested sentences:
I'm ... I just turned ... in ... [name of the month]. I am from ... [your city/country]. And I am a ... [your job].
FAQ
1. When do people ask "Tell us about yourself"?
Usually in interviews, whether for a job, a program, or any situation where someone wants to know you better. It is an open question. You can talk about where you are from, what you do, or what you enjoy. Keep your answer short and relevant to the situation.
2. Is it rude to ask "How old are you?" in English?
It depends on the context. Among friends or in casual situations, it is fine. In formal or professional settings, it can feel too personal, especially with adults. A safer option is to avoid asking unless the other person brings up their age first.
3. What is the difference between "I am from here" and "I live here"?
"I am from here" means this place is your hometown or where you grew up. "I live here" means you currently live here but may not have grown up here. Maddie says "I am from here, actually" to tell the couple she is a local, not someone who moved in recently.
4. What does "I just turned 29" mean? Can I use this for any age?
"Just turned [age]" means your birthday was very recent. You can use it for any age: "I just turned 18," "I just turned 40." It signals that you have not been that age for very long.
5. How do I use "How + adjective" to ask about measurements?
The structure is: How + adjective + subject + verb?
Use it to ask about size, height, length, weight, or age.
How tall are you?
How old is your cat? The answer follows the same adjective: "He is 4 years old."
How long is the film? You can drop the adjective at the end in casual speech: "It's 3 hours."
6. What does "slightly" mean and how do I use it?
"Slightly" means a little bit. Put it before an adjective.
slightly older = a little bit older
slightly different = a little bit different
Use it when you want to soften a description or avoid sounding too direct.
7. What does "get to do something" mean?
It means you have the opportunity or luck to do something enjoyable. "I get to work from home" means you are fortunate to have that situation. It carries a positive feeling, unlike "have to," which suggests obligation.
8. How do I use "Not that..." in conversation?
Use it after saying something that might sound negative, to clarify you are not judging. "I quit my job. Not that it was a bad company." It softens your previous statement. In casual speech, you often hear: "Not that there's anything wrong with that."
9. What is the difference between "I am a teacher" and "I work as a teacher"?
Both are correct, but they feel slightly different. "I am a teacher" treats teaching as part of your identity. "I work as a teacher" focuses on your current role or function. In casual conversation, both are fine. If you just started a job and are not sure you fully identify with it yet, "I work as a..." sounds more natural.