"You alright?" Errrr...

Sigh. This was a last resort- I hope you can humour me though!

I initially struggled with this greeting/phrase when first coming to the UK.. "Yeah, I'm alright..." "Yep, how are you..." Taking the person a bit off guard by drawing out the greeting. I'm surprised my fiancé didn't point out my interpretations of this phrase as it differs from what you would hear in the States (I at least never experienced this upon walking straight into someone's home or passing someone whilst out)

So, UKY: I have (over time) adapted to "alright?" as pretty much a "hello"... Accepted as a rhetorical question/greeting. I am continuously finding myself confused/later frustrated in the moment when it seems as if this phrase really does mean 'how are you'... I have been wondering if this 'banter' is just one of those things you would only really understand as a born and bred Brit, as there are some American phrases or play on words only "we" would instantly know how to comprehend in a conversation, given someone's personality or body language with the phrase.

... How do you all cope? Any tips on how to not walk away feeling stumped or foolish? For the most part, I have done as I've seen and just returned the greeting or replied back with "hiya!"

(Laughing at myself...) :-D

-Lauren

I just respond with a smile and say...iyer luv, y'alrignt?  Works a treat.  Mind you, I do find myself muttering these words constantly in the local shops, on the school run etc etc...

It's exactly the same as someone saying   How ya doing? It's a little British-ism that I freaking love.

I remember when I studied abroad in the US and in the orientation week they told us not to be confused if people said 'Hi, how are you?' without expecting a response... that the norm was to simply reply with a 'How are you?'

'You alright?' is the same principle... it's just a greeting, and the appropriate response is usually just 'You alright?'.

I'm British and it took me a while to get used to 'you alright' as I was growing up as well. No one in my family says it, so it was strange the first time someone said it to me when I was about 12. I replied with a 'yeah, thanks' and my friend who was with me at the time was like "you're not supposed to answer... you're supposed to just say 'you alright' back to them" .

Hahaha- I am from GA but do not have a southern accent. Always get the "Canadian or American?"... I would love to be able to pull of the phrase as you do but I would sound so silly!

I do love it as well. I find that typically meeting people here is rarely ever awkward. Generally, Americans (in my opinion) are focused on primarily making a good first impression and (at least I) find that sometimes the introductions are awkward... Perhaps it is just the joy of meeting people who are not from the exact place you are. Where I am from, you usually get "oh! You know so-and-so...". I like the "banter" here that seems to break the ice. I agree with the opinion that the English are more reserved, but it is that fact that makes conversation easy in a way before getting to know someone better.

@ksand24... Lol. I find that amusing and at the same time comforting coming from someone who is from here! I think it is hard to not over analyse; you just have so many more thoughts running through your head when you think of the differences it may be due to.

Off*

I'm British and if someone says 'you alright?' to me I always reply either 'fine thanks ' or 'Fine and you?'.  No-one has every thought that was odd - maybe we're different in North Yorkshire?  Or perhaps I'm just someone who's got if wrong for the last 53 years!!

LOL I would trust your word; I think this is just one of those "we are all human" things that took me a while to realise. :-)

Lauren, I'm from GA, too. I generally only hear this in shops (friends here just say how are you? If that's what they mean or hello! if that's what they mean! Lol) and generally either reply yes/no as if they're asking "do you need help?" or I just go into whatever I is I'm looking for. No one seems confused so far (except me, possibly. )

The Scottish version: 'Awright?'
'Aye, yersel'?'
'Aye'
*mutual nods*

I always say "I'm good. How are you?" This perplexes some people. Not because they don't know what I mean, but because they don't expect me to say it.

Returning from my first shopping trip without my DH, I said to him, "Do I look pale or sick or something?"  He said, "No, why?" I said, "Because three people asked me if I was alright today."  He cracked up.

I always answer now, "I"m fine, thanks. How are you?"  Most seem to like the fact that I am inquiring about them, and answer me. Only one ever seemed a bit surprised that I gave them a full answer.

In the US, I always answered the "How ya doing?" with the same, "Fine, thanks. How are you?"

I'm British and if someone says 'you alright?' to me I always reply either 'fine thanks ' or 'Fine and you?'.  No-one has every thought that was odd - maybe we're different in North Yorkshire?  Or perhaps I'm just someone who's got if wrong for the last 53 years!!

I do the same, I've been getting it wrong for 29 years as well!

I normally go "Yeah, you alright?" or "Fine, how are you?" or "I'm alright, you alright?"

I agree. I usually answer something like "fine and you?" or "fine, yaw-right?" and no one has ever acted surprised. 

Isn't it sort of the equivalent of "Zup?" (or "What's up?")