Familiar and Formal Greetings Mr. Estrada greets Alma by saying: If Alma had spoken first, she might have said: --¡Alma! --¡Señor Estrada! ¿Cómo estas hoy? ¿Como está usted? Alma! How are you today? Mr. Estrada! How are you? Como está usted? is a formal greeting. ¿Cómo estas? Is a familiar greeting. Use with A person you don´t know A friend Someone older A family member Someone for whom you want to show respect. Someone younger Another familiar greeting: ¿Qué tal? Tù is a familiar way to say you. Usted is a formal way to say you.