Everyone loves that early morning feeling, unless you’re not a morning person, of course. The smell of freshly brewed coffee, the sound of sizzling bacon in the kitchen, the slightly irritating buzz of the alarm clock, and the chilly air enveloping you throughout. No one can say no to that fresh sensation, and savouring that moment is one of the best parts of most of our days. As such, beginning the day with a great start is a critical part of maintaining that mood within the clouds.
Saying “good morning” is a very common occurrence in our everyday lives. Whether you’re talking to your boss, your family, your lover, or your friends, saying good morning is nothing out of the ordinary. Of course, the way we say it varies with each person that we’re talking to, and I guess it somehow shows the level of connection that we share with that individual. Sometimes we say it with a smile, sometimes a polite nod does the trick, and sometimes we even say it with a kiss on the cheeks. It’s not recommended, though, if you’re not close with that person. Nevertheless, we say it either way, and we say it we the best intentions – to wish them a good morning!
Knowing how to say good morning in many different ways is like an innate talent for many. We adjust our register depending on who we’re talking to, and it speaks a lot about the significance of this greeting. However, it wouldn’t hurt to know the ways that are out there and learn them in advance. Just in case, you know, you need it at some point. Being able to greet them effectively with a “good morning” will not only boost your confidence but will also boost theirs and cheer up their day. It’s not a necessity, but it sure is a nice gesture that anyone would surely appreciate. Who would say no to a “good morning” anyway?
FAMILY
Saying “good morning” to your family is as natural as breathing – you essentially do it every day. Think of it as a reflex that you do when you wake up to the smell of a delicious breakfast waiting for you at the table. Think of it as a natural response to overflowing gratitude (this may be an overestimation, but still) that comes out on its own when you see the people that you’ve spent most of your life with. It becomes very repetitive throughout the years, so spicing it up with a little flair wouldn’t hurt anybody. Trying to add a little twist will surely surprise them and make their day a little better.
Good morning!
Hear me out. Of course, we have to start with the most basic and most common greeting. It would be a shame to leave this out as this is the classic that has been shown to work all the time. Hearing this combination of words instantly fills anyone with delight and that walking-in-the-moon feeling. It might be an excessively-used phrase, but it sure does its work effectively.
- Wakey, wakey, honey!
This is probably the cutest substitute for saying “good morning” when you’re waking up your kids. Right after you prepared some eggs and bacon (throwing in some toast in there, too) for them, you walk up the stairs, and gently cusp their face, and tap them to wake them up. A little brush for their tousled hair would also do the trick nicely. As you’re reading this, I’m sure that you’ve already been hit by that sense of nostalgia (who wouldn’t?). If you can remember that nice feeling that you’ve felt when you were a kid, consider extending the same gesture to your children as well. Keeping the tradition; you could say that.
- Coffee? Tea? What would you like for breakfast?
This might seem a little unorthodox if we’re talking about the literal phrase “good morning.” It surely doesn’t resemble the original phrase, and it isn’t even related to having a good day or morning for that matter. It is a simple offer for food and nothing else when examined at face value. However, an offer for food or hot beverage in the morning is more effective than you might think. It might not be an explicit greeting, but it shows compassion and genuine care for whoever you’re offering it to. From the effort it takes to make the meal to the thought put into selecting the best dishes to serve, it speaks volumes regarding the person’s intentions for this act. Studies say that breakfast should be the biggest meal of the day. Won’t you agree that offering someone that very important meal shows just how much they care about your well-being?
- Buenas dias, señor/señorita!
This might not be for everyone, but if you’re looking for a certain flair for your morning greetings, try going international with buenas dias. It is essentially the same as “good morning” in Spanish, but it sure does incite a spark of creativity upon using it. Of course, it is not necessary to continue speaking in Spanish after saying that phrase (it would be nice if you could though). Think of it instead as an homage to your 7th grade Spanish teacher. Who knew that that subject would help you later on to make your family’s day?
- You are my sunshine, my only sunshine. You make me happy when skies are grey.
Ask anyone to identify this song, and they would immediately know what the next lyrics are going to be. For some reason, although not everyone is aware of the title or singer of this song, it still seems very familiar for all – which makes for the perfect song to start your family’s day. It doesn’t matter if you have that opera-appropriate voice or not. Everyone would swoon and smile upon hearing this song as they wake up. That melody, the lyrics, and the beauty of the day would just meld into one during that moment, feeling as if you’re all floating, and dancing and feeling like the whole day would just be delightful throughout. If you’d ask me, I couldn’t ask for a better greeting.
FRIENDS
When it comes to our friends, it seems like our personality takes a 180-degree flip, and becomes a completely different entity. It doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s negative, but it sure does surprise some people as to how differently they act with other individuals. With friends, we’re more aloof, relaxed, colloquial, and generally more open (or probably more closed) than usual. We could share most of our experiences with our friends even when it comes to very personal matters that we even hide from our families. However, we are also sometimes reluctant to be as endearing and sweet when it comes to them as compared to our family. It is misleading to say that they are two sides of the same coin as both converge at certain points often. But it might be even more wrong to say that they are completely similar in all aspects. We treat our friends like family, but we’re not as sweet and cheesy with them as we are with our parents and siblings. Likewise, we are relatively as open to our family, but we are not as casual and aloof with our actions as we are with our friends.
Considering this, it is therefore natural that our greetings are somehow changed when it comes to our friends and acquaintances. In general, we provide them with implicit greetings that weave in thoughtful gestures into casual phrases and words. Finding that right balance is probably tricky for most, but this selection will surely help you if you’re ever in a pinch and you just don’t know how to greet your friend for the day.
- Hey, coffee is on me, wanna grab one before going to work?
It sure is nice to have someone accompany you when you’re a person who despises public transportation – or walking outside, for that matter. Interacting with strangers seems exhausting, and many would much rather keep quiet throughout the travel than even slightly talk with someone they’re not familiar with. That trip to work would probably make or break someone’s day, and making sure that it would be the better outcome is a gesture that supersedes even the simple phrase “good morning.” By simply accompanying them to work and helping them get that very cup of coffee that they need to start their day, it relieves them of the anxiety associated with their travels and simultaneously lifts their mood to be better than it usually is. It might not have the resemblance of a casual “good morning” greeting, but it sure does extend the same thoughts and wishes. It’s also a plus that you’re paying. After all, everything is better when it’s free.
- I bet you’re still snoring, aren’t you?
This is probably most appropriate if sent through text, otherwise, it’d be weird to say this to someone directly. It combines a little wit and teasing to wake them up and start a nice conversation that will probably shift their mood on that day for the better. Teasing is common among friends, and for people who are not that comfortable when it comes to cloyingly sweet and tender greetings, this could the best way to let them know that you’re wishing them a good morning. The conversation that will follow will not result in an awkward exchange, and the replies will proceed as it normally would. It makes for a smart choice if you’re not one with the words. It is cleverly wrapped behind playful words and comments, but it sure is obvious that your intentions are outright delightful and noble. Practice makes perfect, and for as long as you’re still trying to learn how to wish them good morning in the sweetest way possible, this could be a very effective alternative for such.
- Dude, you’re going to be late, I made you a meal to go, just in case.
Nothing says “good morning” better than either an alarm clock or your roommate waking you up because you missed your alarm clock. It’s not the best of the best when it comes to the sweetest greeting that you’d like to receive first thing in the morning, but it surely does pack quite a punch in terms of its power to wake you up and jolt you right out of bed. Reminding your friend that they’re going to be late for whatever appointment that they might have had does not only show concern for their schedule and standing but also reflects how well of a listener you are as to the things that your friend is discussing with you. It’s such a small gesture that is usually overlooked as it is not as flashy as everything else, but nothing beats legitimate concern and care to start someone’s day with a blast. On top of that, making them a meal-to-go combines the breakfast aspect of a delightful morning. Even if it was just a simple cup of coffee or a cookie that they could munch on while they’re on a train, it will surely put a smile on their face that is guaranteed to last a day. If that is not one good morning, I don’t know what else is.
FORMAL SETTING
From e-mails to formal letters, proper salutations and greetings are observed for each. Knowing how to phrase your greetings makes for an effective message that will not only relay the topic effectively but will also address the person for their position or standing. It might just be a simple phrase located at the right-hand corner of a paper, or a line said as you meet your boss in the elevator. However, it will be of use in many instances throughout your professional life. Whether you’re currently writing a work e-mail or thinking about how you’re going to request a bonus in your company, this selection might be of great use to you.
- Have a great morning ahead, Ma’am/Sir
Formal settings usually result in bland and monotonous exchanges that occur for the sole purpose of exchange, setting aside extreme emotions from its tone. Nevertheless, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it is negative, and sometimes it is the best way to greet your boss while still acknowledging their standing. In the workplace, professionalism is a must, and using such formal phrases is the optimal way to use this greeting. Wishing them a great morning ahead with the fullest of intentions will be received positively, even if its delivery or structure is designed to veil that informality. This phrase would work in an e-mail or in-person, and its effectiveness is greatly impacted by body language – an asset that everyone has innately. Never fret as there’s always time to greet your boss with that warm and friendly greeting outside of work. Think of it as adapting to the context. It would greatly help you in other situations as well.
- May you have a very positive morning
This is effective as a closing statement in an e-mail as this has a very positive tone associated with it (aside from the word “positive” included in it). Generally, e-mails are concluded with “have a great day” or “warm regards,” and it has honestly become overused that it needs a little boost for that positive note in the conclusion. The phrase “may you have a very positive morning” retains its formality while still being able to exude genuine kindness and delight. E-mails might not be the most expressive of all the available media outlets, but it sure is very versatile on the kind of content that you could incorporate into the writing.
SIGNIFICANT OTHERS
Being in a relationship has its perks and benefits, and one of them is waking up to either a good morning message from your phone or a good morning kiss from them as you turn around and see them beside you. It sounds cloyingly cheesy, but it sure is a delightful feeling when you’re the one on the receiving end. Although our significant others aren’t obligated to do such a thing, it has become an impulse or an instinct to immediately go to their loved one first thing in the morning. This is then followed by giving them the sweetest greeting to make them smile and keep their spirits up for the rest of the day. There are a lot of ways and means to do this, and all of them are sure to tickle that chin and hopefully bring forth some butterflies in their stomach. Regardless of the method you choose, what matters most is the thought, and perhaps that will be the first tip that we could provide you when thinking of how to say “good morning” to your significant other. Nevertheless, we’re here to offer you more just in case, you know, you’d like to mix things up a little bit.
- I can’t wait to see you later
Oh, this is just a real game-changer, and anyone would agree that this is 100% true in all cases. Being in a relationship, especially when you’re still in that “honeymoon phase,” brings about that need to be in each other’s company throughout the day. Sending this message to your loved one informs them that you are looking forward to seeing them and that they were the first thing that you thought of when you woke up. Saying “good morning” in this way perfectly captures the right notes and simply softens their heart to know that you’re eager to hang out with them. Do this in a call and the effect would be five times better, and is sure to instantly stretch that slight grin into a wide smile that is guaranteed to last for a few hours. It might not be the most good morning-y kind of greeting, but it sure does hit all the necessary elements to completely make their day.
- I just love waking up next to you
Words of validation are like guilty pleasures to people, and it is something that everyone secretly wants deeply. Being validated and knowing that someone enjoys spending time with you is the greatest thing to hear first thing in the morning. It might just be one of the greatest things to hear as soon as you open your eyes and hear the subtle chirping of the birds.
Considering this, saying “I just love waking up next to you” to your loved one is sure to satisfy that need and validate the very core of your relationship. It is essentially the reason why you’re hanging out in the first place. Agreeing to be in a relationship instantly implies that you enjoy being in each other’s company, and knowing that the other person is feeling the same way just makes anyone shine and bloom with delight. It’s an implied thing, sure, but hearing those exact words goes a long way in establishing your relationship (or even strengthen it along the process).
- How was your sleep, sweetie?
You could never go wrong with a classic that is ensured to work every time. Saying this line with a smile is enough to melt someone’s heart with joy. As previously mentioned, the process as to how you’re going to say “good morning” is not as important as the thought and intention that you put into the gesture. Instead of relying on antics, maybe you could also try sincere and simple acts that just present you as you. No tricks, no mind games, just pure, utter, sincerity.
Being able to say “good morning” is a talent possessed by many. Although unknowingly, many are extremely good with it, and perhaps it lies not in the method that they used to get their message across, but their initial intention of why they said it in the first place. Empty words would mean nothing to anyone, especially ones that are done for the sake of doing it. Perhaps what we’re trying to say is, the only difference between a good and a great morning, is the smile that you were able to put into their faces. It’s not much, but it is definitely worth everything.
