Why do we say "Hey" when we greet people on the internet, but not in real life?

Question

Ive never said "hey" or "hey m8" in real life, i try not to online either but when everybody else is "hey"ing you, you do it back. Does anybody seriously go around saying hey to people?

Answer 1

i say hey when i meet my friends in real life and on the phone and msn

but i wouldnt say it if i had just met someone or if the person was much older than me

i dont understand whats wrong with saying it

Answer 2

Yeah, I greet my friends with a Hey, whats up? Both online and in real life

Answer 3

i do, whats ur problem?

Answer 4

I say hey to people in real life. I hardly say hello. I generally use hey and hi, but I use hello for people I don't know as well.

Answer 5

I do most of the time

Answer 6

i say Hey in real life

Answer 7

I answer the phone when my husband calls and say, "Hey"

I think my mother says, "hey" when she answers the phone, too.

But I don't walk up to someone and say, "hey!"  

Answer 8

The only time I've been to an English speaking country was last Easter, when I've been to Scotland. When I said "hi" to my sister's flatmates, they said to me "hey".

Answer 9

Lots of people actually do say 'Hey' and 'Hey mate' in real life, it's just caught onto those that don't via the internet. xx