What is a proper greeting for nighttime?

I know the proper daytime greetings:
"Good Morning" until noon
"Good Afternoon" from noon until 4:59pm
"Good Evening" after 5pm....

But what time does "Good Morning" start and what time does "Good Evening" end? When is "Good Night" appropriate?

And I want REAL answers, not smart alec comments, or uneducated guesses.

Pretty please?

2006-05-24T15:41:27Z

Good answers so far-- thank you everyone!

Just let me add some context:
In the military, when you see an officer that you have to salute, you are required to render a salute and a verbal greeting. Or when you report in and out, same thing, a verbal greeting. So I was wondering, what do you say to an officer if you are working the night shift?

But yes, I agree that "Good Night" is an odd way to greet someone. However, at the same time, "Good Morning" is an odd way to say goodbye to someone, but when you report out, if it is morning, you say "Good Morning" and then leave. I've had to report out at 6:30am and say "Good Morning" as I leave.

kountryj2006-05-24T15:30:26Z

Favorite Answer

i work at a truck stop, and i'll say have a good night/evening until about 2 or 3 am, then i start saying good morning and have a good day.

Owlwings2006-05-24T15:37:41Z

Good night is used more as a farewell than a greeting. The others may be also, but not so commonly. I would think it a bit odd if someone greeted me with good night! It would be appropriate from about mid-evening onwards.

QueenBean2006-05-24T15:36:46Z

Good night is a parting phrase anytime until midnight the correct greeting is Good Evening. After midnight it is correct to say Good Morning.

Anonymous2006-05-24T16:17:25Z

Evening is late afternoon and early night, "good evening" can be used in early night hours like from 7pm to 9pm. It really depends on you look at the times of day and what season is is. "Good Morning" begins after 12:00 am.

keke m2006-05-24T15:32:45Z

well knowing that not everyone goes to bed at the same time a good greeting for nighttime since it gets kinda dark at about 6;30 you could say 'good night ' at 7'00 pm

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