Why do people ask "How are you?"

[BoberFett]

Why did this become a generic phrase used to greet people, even in passing? People do it all the time, but I just wondered about it this morning when a woman I barely know passed me in the hall at work and asked me. We don't even work in the same company, just the same building.

So what are you supposed to say when someone asks? There's really only one answer. There can be variations, but there's still only one answer. "Fine thanks." "Not too bad." Which is usually a load of crap, for me anyway. But I'm not about to give my life story to a passerby.

But the fact that they even ask is starting to bug me. First of all, more often than not, the person asking how you are doesn't really give a flying fsck how you are. Second, if I really told someone how I usually feel, they'd probably walk away fearing for their life. Finally, there's then the expectation that you'll ask them back, and they'll respond with the same worthless banter, sending you right back to square one.

So why do people feel the need to ask how you are rather than just saying hello?

 

[worth]

I just answer with "Eh?"

 

[MrDingleDangle]

dunno i've wondered that myself...i do it too people i somewhat know while walking on campus, i'll be like "whats up?" and their response is usually "hey, how's it goin?"...and no one even answers the ?...

 

[pulse8]

I am Jack's smirking revenge.

 

[NDGeist]

just do like i do... answer the question and keep walking...

not much....

i'm fabulous, and how are you? (this gets funny looks)

 

[Capn]

I say "hey how's it going" a lot, with out expecting a response. So maybe you should just respond with a hello, works for me.

 

[DannyLove]

well. people have just been taught to greet people. I never say "how you doing" when i'm passing someone. i say "Hi" or "Hello" but "how you doing?" no, that happens if we stop and start talking. I just think that we're all used to the whole 'how you doing' greeting. In time, we've adapted to it and we accept it (meaning we dont tell them to shut the f up)

danny~!

 

[viewton]

<< dunno i've wondered that myself...i do it too people i somewhat know while walking on campus, i'll be like &quot;whats up?&quot; and their response is usually &quot;hey, how's it goin?&quot;...and no one even answers the ?... >>



exactly...normally goes like this:

1 &quot;what's up&quot;
2 &quot;how's it going?&quot;
1 &quot;how are the kids?&quot;
2 &quot;how's the job?&quot;
1 &quot;alright, see ya 'round!&quot;
2 &quot;take it easy!&quot;

Hmm...also, why do ppl say &quot;Take it easy!&quot; ? Would you say &quot;Take it hard!&quot; to someone you don't like? ehhh...nm, that just doesn't sound quite right

 

[worth]

And I am worth.

VIVA LA REG!

 

[BigToque]

Its just a way to start a conversation...

&quot;Hey, hows it going?&quot;
&quot;not too bad, what you been up to lately?&quot;
&quot;not too much. I've [insert something interesting]&quot;

Then the conversation will get going.

 

[TripleJ]

Maybe because if they just said hello it would be even more boring. You don't need to answer the question directly you know. You can say exactly the same back to them. It's just another way of saying hello. It can go a little like this:

G'day, howsa goin' mate?
How are ya.

See, easy.

Geez, I'd hate to meet you on a bad day.

 

[bandXtrb]

If you're at work, you are probably at least &quot;okay.&quot;

This &quot;how are you?,&quot; as everybody probably knows, is an insincere question. Nobody really wants to hear anything negative.

 

[kami]

One time someone asked me &quot;Hey how are you?&quot; and i responded &quot;i feel like a piece of sh!t.&quot;... wasn't what they expected

I have a stupid story...i was camping once and i went to the guy who runs the camp before we left to get out deposit back. I said &quot;thanks&quot; and he replied with &quot;how are you&quot;...WTF?

 

[Cenalian]

Why do people do it??? Because its an open ended question... with an open ended question, it gets conversation started...

for those that don't know, open-ended questions are ones in which the person cannot answer &quot;yes&quot; or &quot;no&quot;... basically not a question that once the person answers, there is nothing left to talk about...

 

[BoberFett]

<< This &quot;how are you?,&quot; as everybody probably knows, is an insincere question. Nobody really wants to hear anything negative. >>

Exactly my point. Maybe the next time somebody asks I should act like I've lost it.

&quot;Thanks for asking. I'm absolutely horrible. My dog died, I'm losing my house and my wife is pregnant with the mailman's baby. I feel like I'm gonna snap. Speaking of which I need to pick up some more ammo for my AR-15.&quot;

 

[samgau]

Thats a good one...
I have to try that one one of my co-workers... hmm... wonder whom i'll be able to freak out the most...

 

[MrDingleDangle]

<< If you're at work, you are probably at least &quot;okay.&quot;
>>



haha thats like the funniest thing i've heard all day!

 

[fatalbert]

My favorite response is to stare at them looking parnoid and then laugh hysterically and run off.



I am amused by scaring people!

 

[Yo Ma Ma]

<<

<< This &quot;how are you?,&quot; as everybody probably knows, is an insincere question. Nobody really wants to hear anything negative. >>

Exactly my point. Maybe the next time somebody asks I should act like I've lost it.

&quot;Thanks for asking. I'm absolutely horrible. My dog died, I'm losing my house and my wife is pregnant with the mailman's baby. I feel like I'm gonna snap. Speaking of which I need to pick up some more ammo for my AR-15.&quot; >>

That should do the trick. Initially you see, you'll need to expend more effort in your response, but within a few days or so almost no one will be bothering to ask you any more

 

[Jugernot]

Just say &quot;Do you really care?&quot;

Most of the time, when people ask &quot;How are you?&quot; to me I just ignore it and say &quot;Hey&quot; as I'm walking by. Most people use it as a complete alternative to Hello or Hey, but it serves the same purpose. In other words, just because someone asks, doesn't mean you can't give a response like &quot;Hey!&quot;

Try it.

 

[BrunoPuntzJones]

i just tell them how i feel, which is usually not good. they are usually taken aback and puzzeled. i dont like bs stuff like that and btw then dont ask me if im going to ask you how you feel cause ill say i would have asked if i wanted to know.