How are you...
Posted 11-17-2008 at 03:16 PM by Lila64
Out of curiousity...
When someone asks 'how are you', do you really want to know, or are you asking out of common courtesy? Does it depend who is doing the asking and/or what day/time it is? Would you prefer to hear "I'm fine", and be done, or do you want to hear the truth? Just curious as to what people think about this.
I know, for example, when I speak to my Mom, I'll generally tell her everything is fine. She is a worrier, and so if I even said I had a headache, she'd feel bad, apologize, and ask me about it for the next week, which in turn might make the headache last longer (no offense Mom!)
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Things are bad for a lot of people right now, and everyone has their issues & things in life they are dealing with. So... how do you handle the question?
When someone asks 'how are you', do you really want to know, or are you asking out of common courtesy? Does it depend who is doing the asking and/or what day/time it is? Would you prefer to hear "I'm fine", and be done, or do you want to hear the truth? Just curious as to what people think about this.
I know, for example, when I speak to my Mom, I'll generally tell her everything is fine. She is a worrier, and so if I even said I had a headache, she'd feel bad, apologize, and ask me about it for the next week, which in turn might make the headache last longer (no offense Mom!)
.Things are bad for a lot of people right now, and everyone has their issues & things in life they are dealing with. So... how do you handle the question?
Total Comments 8
Comments
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When I am massaging, and people ask me that, I always say I am fine even when I am not.
It's their time to relax and they are just being courteous.
With my friends, I ask them if they really want to know.
Then I give them the option of hearing me out.
If I know they already know what my troubles are, I try and keep it simple and always make sure to ask it back to them.Posted 11-17-2008 at 04:42 PM by Night & Day
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I hate 'How are you'. I hate asking it and I hate answering it because most people are just going to say 'good' or 'fine'. It's like a standard greeting. I think most people just ask out of a courtesy and don't really expect you do be like "well, I'm pretty shitty actually.. [insert life story troubles rambling here]"
With friends, its never 'how are you' its more like 'what's going on? whats new?' etc.. then you're more inclined to actually respond with what's really on your mind.Posted 11-17-2008 at 05:22 PM by Sicy -
If I go with 'what's new' or 'what's going on', I usually the pat answers there as well: nothing, not much, etc.Posted 11-17-2008 at 05:49 PM by Lila64 -
Oh god I hate how are you. I always answer it with "fine, you?" and desperately hope that the other person answers with nothing more than a one word answer.Posted 11-17-2008 at 06:16 PM by partygirlvox -
And those who say, "Have a nice day" can bite it...
And I never said it to anyone after handing them a traffic ticket! I opted for, "Drive safe!"
What they said when I walked away....not for here!
Posted 11-17-2008 at 09:24 PM by Mr. BAW - ^ That and 'Take care'.Posted 11-17-2008 at 10:21 PM by Sicy
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I never ask unless I actually care, or someone asked first ("fine and how are you?"). If it's someone asking me and I know them I give an honest answer, otherwise I go with the above.Posted 11-18-2008 at 10:26 AM by Liesje -
This is the best...
"How are you?"
"I'm fine! How are you?"
"I'm fine, thanks? You?"
Second best, which I get on the phone a lot...
"Hi, how are you?"
"I'm-"
"Could I please speak with [name]?"
Posted 11-18-2008 at 02:15 PM by Bonochick
