Hello or Hi ?

Richard   Monday, November 03, 2003, 21:30 GMT
I don't have caller ID.
peggy   Sunday, November 09, 2003, 19:05 GMT
When you enter a shop in North America, the shop assistant usually greets you with : "hi, there !"
In Canada I hear like : "Hi there ! how are you doing today ?"
In USA I hear like : "Hi there ! may I help you ?"
Is it almost the same everywhere in Canada and the US ?
Dorian   Sunday, November 09, 2003, 19:09 GMT
The French greet you like /I/ instead of /hi/ as most of them forget to pronounce the "H" in English.
zola   Sunday, November 09, 2003, 21:28 GMT
Do you use "Hi" to attract attention of someone ?
mjd   Sunday, November 09, 2003, 21:32 GMT
"Hi" is more of a greeting.

"Hey" can be an informal way to attract someone's attention, but I'd only say that to a friend. If you're next to a stranger, it's best to say "Excuse me" or "pardon me."

examples:

Friend to friend: "Hey, what's the name of that movie we saw?"

formal: "Excuse me, do you have the time?"
Learner   Sunday, November 09, 2003, 21:34 GMT
I once saw a parrot who had learnt to say "hello" with a perfect accent.
"who" had learnt or "which" had learnt ?