Thread: I have a question

when my friend and i are working together on something.
and after we are done. he says " thanks for the help"
if i answer him "likewise". is it going to be understandable?

or in the other case
if someone says something like " nice to meet you"
and i answer him "likewise" .
is it polite?

Yes, your friend will understand you. This is an informal expression suitable for the first situation.

In the second situation it is OK but it would be better to say "Nice to meet you too".

you could use that, but it seems rude to say. Kind of cold...

I would use. "No problem" if your helping someone with work, and when meeting people something like "Nice to meet you too."

I would say "Likewise" is not the correct response to "Thanks for the help." It means you are saying back to the person "Thanks to you too." Doesn't make sense to me. If you are helping someone, thanks go to you. You do not thank the one you are helping . (Excluding "Thank you for giving me the pleasure to help you." Far-fetched, I know.)

The answer to "Thanks" for anything can be

You're welcome.
My pleasure.
Don't mention it.
etc.

In formal speech, "You're welcome" is by far the most common.

Somebody just said "Likewise" to me after I said "Nice to meet you" the other day. Should I be offended?

No you should not be offended. It is informal. Perhaps it can also be taken as a compliment since the person feels comfortable enough to say this to you.
Saying "likewise" to your friend in response to him thanking you for your help when you have been working on a project together is appropriate because you have been helping each other and it is a short way for a friend to say, "No, thankyou for your help". Remember everyone, these are "friends".

Furthermore, if your friend is offended over this then maybe you need a new friend.

So, is "likewise" as a response to "nice to meet you" informal or cold? I actually did take it as informal, which is why I was not offended.

If someone said to be "nice to meet you" i'd usually say "yeah, you too", which is colloquial.

And what about using 'ditto' in the same meaning?

Technically correct, though it might sound a little dismissive or possibly even rude, and it is really colloqial either way.

There's no way around it, any short answer CAN sound cold or dismissive if you mumble it or don't seem enthusiastic. Because it is so brief, the polite moment can be missed by the other person.
'Likewise' doesn't sound informal to me, anyhow, as it isn't common street-talk. So, it will more likely sound like you really mean it. Whereas, using commonplace terms like 'ditto' and 'no problem' MAY come across as lazy, therefore unfelt. The bottom line is, if you feel it when you say it, and a person still finds it offensive, it's their mistake.
'Likewise' is appropriate for both those situations you gave, Ustas. Because, the thanking and the pleasure of meeting went both ways, to you and the other person. If you like it, use it!

I would advise that you affix a "sir" on to the end of your every utterance, when talking with people you meet on the street. This way, not only will you come across as a gentleman, you will also charm many women delighted at your old-fashioned ways.

"Hey! What's your name?"
"Ustas, sir."
"Nice to meet you, Ustas!"
"Likewise, sir!"

Also Pravit may I suggest that you trade your tin helmet in for a nice felt fedora hat so that you can tip it when passing by the ladies.

Silly lads!

May be this "likewise" has the same kind of ironical informality as the Russian "Взаимно".

Likewise sounds like when two rivels that are enemys meet and use that word against their foe.

It depends on how it is used. If you say it as if you don't care, то могут в репу дать, but if you say it while being friendly, then you will come off as informal and friendly.

Originally Posted by Propp

May be this "likewise" has the same kind of ironical informality as the Russian "Взаимно".

Or симметрично :)

Well, I have a russian friend and he always say "likewise" I absolutely

can understand that. Just think "you're welcome" "my pleasure" "no

problem/not a problem" etc are better answers.