american english - What should I say if someone from the opposite side of the earth says “good morning”?

This may sound like a silly question, but I'm having a bit of confusion.

I'm not sure what to say. I work remotely and I am a member of a team on the opposite side of the earth. On the chat, when they say “good morning” or “good night”, I get confused about what I should reply because when they are enjoying morning it is night for me.

Should I say “good morning” when they say “good morning”? Can I say “good morning” to them when it's morning for me? Thanks!!

Answer

I’m in Chicago and most of my team is in Paris, so this is a situation I have a lot of practice with!

My primary recommendation is: reference the time of your audience.

However, the key fact is: anything you say nicely is fine.

Typical conversations I’ve had at 8 AM my time (CST), 3 PM their time (CET):

1. 
   

   
   

   Paris: Good morning!

   
   

   Chicago: Good morning! uhh . . . Good afternoon!

   
   

   
   


2. 
   

   
   

   Paris: Good morning!

   
   

   Chicago: (Yes, it is a) good morning!

   
   
   

   
   


3. 
   

   
   

   Paris: Good morning!

   
   

   Chicago: Good afternoon (to you)!

   
   

   
   

These generic expressions of goodwill are fairly flexible. Primarily, we are wishing that people hearing us are enjoying whatever time of day it is. The same words can also acknowledge their wish for us, or even confirm that we are enjoying whichever time of day it is. That means whatever you say, you are justified, but generally it is more polite to acknowledge the reference frame of the people you are speaking to.

Remember, all this etiquette is rooted in practices that predate international conversation by a long shot. This is something that is acknowledged as awkward among native speakers and we laugh about it.

It sounds like your coworkers are treating this type of statement primarily as a report rather than a wish. They are saying “(it’s a) good morning (here in the US)!” This means you have two polite options! You can adopt their sense of the greeting and report from your own locale: “Good evening from here!” OR you can politely wish that they go on having a good morning in their location! Either’s fine, or even both!