When people ask, "How are you?"

[moonbogg]

They really don't give a fuck. I was on the phone with a vendor and she asked, "How are you?". I said, "well, I've been a little stressed lately" or something to that effect. She became uncomfortable and skirted my answer to get right down to business. Why do people feel the need to pretend like they actually give half a shit about the well being of a complete stranger?

 

[nickbits]

It makes them seem friendly and 99.9% of people say "good" or "fine" so there isn't an issue. But I agree, people shouldn't ask if they really don't care or want to hear a true answer.

 

[IronWing]

How are you?

Contagious.

 

[Atomic Playboy]

When people say "greetings," that's only one greeting. I'm being cheated. I just awkwardly stand there until they offer me the agreed upon sum of two or more greetings.

I'm sorry, this was the thread where we retardedly complain about taking social conventions too literally, wasn't it?

 

[moonbogg]

It makes them seem friendly and 99.9% of people say "good" or "fine" so there isn't an issue. But I agree, people shouldn't ask if they really don't care or want to hear a true answer.

Yup, I am guilty of lying right back at them. "I'm fine" when actually I wasn't fine. Of course, if by fine, I really mean something else, like the link below, then maybe fine is a fine answer.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/F.I.N.E.*

Atomic, I just read your reply. You are a (redacted for PC), but how are you today?

 

[Newell Steamer]

I too am angry at disheartened salutations!!

OUTRAGE.

 

[rsbennett00]

I just tell the truth, "I'm thuper! How are you?"

 

[Exterous]

"I'm doing good"

Given that you are not currently feeding the homeless, donating your time to a child in need and your lack of a superman cape I can only assume you are mildly retarded and meant "I am doing well."

 

[unokitty]

.. Why do people feel the need to pretend like they actually give half a shit about the well being of a complete stranger?

I feel your pain. At the same time, intellectually I know that it could have been worse.

Best of luck,
Uno

 

[moonbogg]

"I'm doing good"

Given that you are not currently feeding the homeless, donating your time to a child in need and your lack of a superman cape I can only assume you are mildly retarded and meant "I am doing well."

lol. I love this place. Only here.

 

[Imp]

It's another version of "hello"... A lot of people don't expect an answer back. And most of us see right through it and know the other person doesn't give a shit.

 

[T_Yamamoto]

How are you?

 

[Blackjack200]

They really don't give a fuck.

Fuck you, I do. I have lots of business contacts that I call on an almost daily basis, and you know what, I do care. I not only ask them how they're doing, I also ask them how their weekend was, what the weather is like if they're in a different region, how their kids are doing if they have them.

There are a couple of people that I have to work with that are complete dickheads, but you know what? I don't ask them how they are. Because I don't care. My end of the conversaion sounds like this: "Hello?... Hi Jim, what's up?... Okay... okay... okay. Thanks. Bye." You get this treatment from me if you're needlessly rude to me or my team. It's pretty rare, but it happens.

There are sincere people out there.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

"Fine, you?"

It's silly, but it's a harmless social convention. Don't be a sperglord.

 

[WelshBloke]

Fuck you, I do. I have lots of business contacts that I call on an almost daily basis, and you know what, I do care. I not only ask them how they're doing, I also ask them how their weekend was, what the weather is like if they're in a different region, how their kids are doing if they have them.

I find it really annoying when people I barely know do that in a non casual situation.

No offence but I have people that I am close to to talk about that sort of stuff with.

 

[z1ggy]

It's just small talk. It's awkward to begin a convo with diving directly into the details.

It's like, hey, if you want to bang me, I'm all for it but at least take me out for a quick drink first.

 

[AznAnarchy99]

I usually say "Good, how about yourself" and they get weirded out not expecting a question.

 

[monkeydelmagico]

I'd drop the "hello" part too if it was socially acceptable. Alas, interaction with others is a job requirement.

 

[WelshBloke]

It's just small talk. It's awkward to begin a convo with diving directly into the details.

"Hi there its Bob from associated widgets here. I was just phoning about [your order][your enquiry][our fuck up]..." <----------- This is fine.

"Hi there its Bob from associated widgets here. How are you? What you doing? Are you wearing any underwear? Hows the kids? Got any pics of them?..." <------ Not OK and will trip the creeper alarm.

 

[moonbogg]

Fuck you, I do.

Calm down, Gandhi. I'm sure you're full of shit, you just don't know it. You go to the super market and some fat lady starts loading your SACK. Do you bust a Jesus on her and start asking her how she is doing today? Do you really want to know if she is about to go home and eat 5 apple pies to ease the pain? Are you prepared to commit your time to go help that stranger? No? Didn't think so.
Love is an action. If you care about someone, that means that you are willing to offer your fucking TIME to go help them. If not, don't lie about it.

 

[Childs]

Fuck you, I do. I have lots of business contacts that I call on an almost daily basis, and you know what, I do care. I not only ask them how they're doing, I also ask them how their weekend was, what the weather is like if they're in a different region, how their kids are doing if they have them.

There are a couple of people that I have to work with that are complete dickheads, but you know what? I don't ask them how they are. Because I don't care. My end of the conversaion sounds like this: "Hello?... Hi Jim, what's up?... Okay... okay... okay. Thanks. Bye." You get this treatment from me if you're needlessly rude to me or my team. It's pretty rare, but it happens.

There are sincere people out there.

I think you care a little too much...

 

[FuzzyDunlop]

its just a means of getting the other person involved in the conversation.

Small talk 101: make it about the other person to make them feel spezyal.


My usual response: "I am well, how are you" or,
"oooh, pretty busy but healthy, how about yourself" as in hint, hint, dont waste my time today.

 

[moonbogg]

its just a means of getting the other person involved in the conversation.

Small talk 101: make it about the other person to make them feel spezyal.


My usual response: "I am well, how are you" or,
"oooh, pretty busy but healthy, how about yourself" as in hint, hint, dont waste my time today.

"I am well, how are you"
translation: "Neither of us give a shit, so lets get this over with quickly"

"oooh, pretty busy but healthy, how about yourself"
translation: "Leave me the fuck alone, and don't you dare answer me with more than 2 words"

 

[FuzzyDunlop]

"I am well, how are you"
translation: "Neither of us give a shit, so lets get this over with quickly"

"oooh, pretty busy but healthy, how about yourself"
translation: "Leave me the fuck alone, and don't you dare answer me with more than 2 words"

pretty much. How are you?

 

[moonbogg]

pretty much. How are you?

Honestly? Well, I feel that we have come to know each other over the course of this discussion, so I will share with you the fact that I will be doing much better once you stop LYING TO ME.