Why are "good morning" and "good afternoon" greetings

[Rakehellion]

but "good night" is a farewell?

 

[ThinClient]

Good morning and good afternoon could also be farewells. Good night could be a greeting. You fail your own language.

 

[Rakehellion]

My language?

 

[SamQuint]

because Good Evening is the proper greeting instead.

 

[ThinClient]

because Good Evening is the proper greeting instead.

Not if it's not evening.

 

[Markbnj]

Good morning and good afternoon could also be farewells. Good night could be a greeting. You fail your own language.

I don't think he''s asking about syntax. He's asking about actual usage, which is as he says. I have rarely heard "Good afternoon" or ""Good day" used as farewells in the U.S.

 

[Printer Bandit]

bad night

 

[WelshBloke]

I don't think he''s asking about syntax. He's asking about actual usage, which is as he says. I have rarely heard "Good afternoon" or ""Good day" used as farewells in the U.S.

You sir are an arshole, good day to you.


(not implying that you are actually an arsehole but you get the idea)

 

[RandomWords]

but "good night" is a farewell?

My guess, if there is any reasoning behind it - it is because it is the end of the day and thus used as an ending... but I'm fairly certain I've heard it used as a greeting too...

 

[Mixolydian]

I'm assuming because most people go to sleep at night.

 

[MongGrel]

Depends on the situation.

Guten Tag.

 

[sdifox]

cuz every afternoon, morning and evening you survive til is a good one

 

[HeXen]

I bid you a good day sir.

 

[Markbnj]

You sir are an arshole, good day to you.


(not implying that you are actually an arsehole but you get the idea)

Then good afternoon to you sir! Good afternoon, I say!

 

[Leros]

They're all just dumb formalities at this point. A common thing I hear as two people walk past each other

"What's up?"
"How's it going?"