“how are you” is merely a social pleasantry
his after-dinner speeches usually include the sort of gentle pleasantry that raises a chuckle
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Cohen reached out asking to talk, but Epstein was done with pleasantries.—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 14 Mar. 2026 After checking their badges, the police exchange pleasantries with the agents and leave.—Ali Bauman, CBS News, 6 Mar. 2026 The two caught up briefly prior to tipoff, sharing an embrace and exchanging a few pleasantries before White had to get back to his pregame preparations.—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 28 Feb. 2026 Meanwhile, over years of random, closeted and compulsive encounters, Shane and Ilya barely exchange pleasantries during their hot, impersonal hookups, even calling each other by their last names — half bros, half hos.—David Colman, HollywoodReporter, 23 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pleasantry