Saying "how's life going?" when greeting someone for the first time might not be the most common or conventional greeting, but it's not inherently inappropriate or rude. Whether it's okay to use this greeting depends on the context, the relationship between you and the person you are greeting, and the cultural norms in your region.
Pros of using "how's life going?":
- It can be seen as a friendly and open-ended way to start a conversation, indicating that you are interested in the person's well-being beyond just a simple greeting.
- It allows the person to share more about their life if they wish to do so.
Cons of using "how's life going?":
- It might be considered a bit too personal or intrusive, especially if you don't know the person well or if it's a formal setting.
- Some people might find it awkward to respond to such a broad question from someone they just met.
If you want to be on the safe side and avoid any potential awkwardness, consider using more traditional greetings like "hello," "hi," or "nice to meet you." As the conversation progresses and you get to know the person better, you can then ask more specific questions about their life or well-being.
If you are in a casual and relaxed setting and feel comfortable with the person, using "how's life going?" might work well. However, in more formal or professional situations, it's generally better to stick to conventional greetings until you establish a rapport with the person. Always pay attention to the other person's cues and body language to gauge if they are comfortable with the level of familiarity in the conversation.