Hello, hello, hello! How’s everybody doing out there?

As I’ve been chatting more and more frequently with some friends overseas, I’ve found some high-frequency dialogue getting driven home. It’s been fantastic!

Of course, my biggest problem here has nothing to do with language. It’s protocol.

Ordinarily, when I contact an English-speaking friend, it’s not my intention to dig in my heels and settle down for a three-hour chat. I’m a hit and run kind of guy. A few one-liners, a how-do-you-do, a quick note to let you know I was thinking about you, and then I’m back on the job. The world’s not going to conquer itself!

Not everyone understands this about me, especially if I really like you. I’m likely to say hi almost every time I see you. I’m not really sure where this comes from, except to say that in my day job, my desk is in front of a window and people walk by me and wave all day long. It’s just me being friendly.

Realizing that this might disconcert some folks, or they may not always have the time for a quick hello, I’m going to start asking if I’m intruding. How would I go about that in Chinese? My first instinct here is to go with:

对不起，你有空吗？
Dui bu qi, ni you kong ma?
I’m sorry, do you have some time?

But that sound a little too apologetic, don’t you think? You shouldn’t have to be sorry to say hi to someone. I just want to show a little consideration. Ask if they’re busy. Know what I mean?

What do you folks do? Is this a concern for anybody but me? LOL