The phrase ‘have you eaten
rice yet?’ is a social pleasantry used between friends and acquaintances along the same lines as saying ‘how are you?’ or ‘how’s it going?’ A person may respond, ‘eaten already’ or ‘not yet’. The phrase is another way of asking ‘have you eaten yet?’, but if the reply is ‘not yet’ there is every chance the two friends
will end up eating together even if it’s just a quick
snack.
A dialogue between two friends :
Boy: Have you eaten rice yet? (Typical greeting)
Girl: Yes, I’ve eaten. (Expected reply)
Boy: Where are you going? (The standard opening)
Girl: Over there! (Reply)
(Also a greeting couched
like a question that requires no answer.)