The article substantiates the necessity of change to the genre of congratulations in everyday communication. The author formulates the definition of congratulation, as well as provides its genre features. In addition, congratulation is considered as a kind of casual speech. The article presents the characteristics of the levels of casualness: high (speech relaxedness, vigor, psychological comfort, emotionality and the like); medium (increased excitement, speech tension and so on); low (psychological stiffness, pauses, confusion; frequent speech errors and mistakes). These varieties of relaxed speech are considered through such factors as psychological preparation for the delivery of relaxed speech; methods of speech preparation, which are most characteristic of a particular variety; content, form, and the reaction of the audience.
