"How are you?"
I always found it odd how Americans ask each other this question - strangers, lovers, and everyone in between... I don't find much offensive. I actually don't even fully understand what it feels like to be offended. I have some theories how it's a made-up word used to control people and will be looked back upon unfavorably. Maybe if the Russians had invented it sooner, the USSR would still be around today. But I think the closest I've come to feeling this American feeling of "offense" is when people ask me how I am.
I never claim to be a good person or this that or the other, don't compete in the virtue olympics, checked out of all that. But two things I hold pretty close to heart are that I'm honest and I'm nice to strangers. And when you ask me that question, you make me have to choose which one of those I'm going to neg on. And you also make me have to make a decision. And that uses energy and don't you touch my fucking energy you fucking peasant pigeon.
Good
Fine
Doing OK
Getting by
I'm doing alright...
Phew, made it through that one. Close call, bud. You almost spilled the beans to that cashier.
But it doesn't end there. What now? Thanks? Thanks for asking? Now I gotta thank this asshole for some shit I don’t appreciate? I appreciate that even less than the other thing.
And oh god. Are they still looking at me expectantly? Are they wanting me to ask them how they’re doing? Oh my god I’m barely holding it together right now can I please have my bag of dildos and leave now. Tick. Tock… Ughm. They’re still looking…
“How are you doing?”
I never stick around and wait for the reply. I don’t even grab my bag of dildos. I dart out the store cloaked in 13 sunglasses. I’m out of there.
Also, are you people aware your site is in such a state that I have to open up word, type messages into there, and paste them into your... message board? I'm not telling you it's right or wrong one way or another. Just an interesting way to live your life, I suppose.
Yeah I do that.
I just say "good, thanks" or "pretty good, thanks" because even if you are ready to kill someone its easier to just avoid the formalities IMO. Never "what about you" unless I actually care, which I usually don't because everyone else also says something along the lines of "good" even if they aren't.
If someone asks me “how are you?” I just say “hey how’s it going?” and then move on
Biggest lol is when someone asks you how you’re doing and you’re like ‘fine’ and then you say - how about you - giving them the chance for the biggest case of verbal diarrhea to outflow and you’re sitting there thinking I just want this barista to give me my latte...
Bro when I see a reply from you I get so giddy. You're either like a total fucking condobro or some fucking wokeass philosopher motherfucker. Nothing in between lol. I fux with that. If it wasn't this reply, you were gonna say something about how we're all one and shit, innit?
haha exactly
I usually just silence them by flashing my washboard abs😎
I am BIGLY long on Monty Burns , this guy consistently posts great shit. Almost feels like I´m back on my Hawaiian Subterranean Pork-Roasting Forum...
sites gone shiet after the update, everything is lagging and I still CANNOT LINK IMAGES directly from the world wide web
think it's a habit more than anything lmfao no one actually cares how you're doing, not that deep
I know, bud.
Does anyone ever answer that question honestly? Like not counting friends and shit. If I ever asked some random person who was serving me food or ringing me up how they were and they answered honestly I'd kind of respect it. Otherwise lets just skip the exchange. A robust guy nod is enough for me.
Kak dela?
Kak pozivaesh?
You wouldn't say that to a stranger
who knows, maybe not. i left as a very young child so never grew up in there but tbf i wouldnt really say how are you to strangers in English either (although i grew up in a different English speaking country other than USA).
i don't see why it couldn't be used in small talk with work acquaintances though.
I always default to "fine thanks". I live in Germany now and Germans hate small talk, especially with strangers. I don't think a random shop attendant has asked me how I'm doing since I arrived. It's fucking great.
Moving to Germany tomorrow
We got T-boned by a cement truck in Bavaria last year. Flew like 10 yards off the road. Car was smashed to shit. Sat in hatchback trunk thing in the rain for 6 hours waiting for cops to show up. Two dudes smelling like liquor eventually pulled up bumping Dido and gave us a ticket for being a public nuisance.
They ask you how you are and you say that you’re FINE, but you’re not really FINE. *cries*
Que tal?
Yeah, I really hate this small talk because it's not genuine. It's only seen as a form of etiquette or a way to "warm" people up. With people I'm close to, I know I'll get a real answer. Otherwise, with those I'm less acquainted with, it just seems fake. I think it's also a big deal in American sales culture to get people to like you and think you're nice for asking how they're doing. It's a facet of customer service everywhere that the server at your restaurant, the clothing store associate and the big sales guy all have to follow.
sir this is wendys
"Living the dream" is the only correct response
I detest the question. I always respond "doing well" but never ask people how they are unless it's a genuine question. No one--ever--has said, "Hi, how are you?" and expected a real response. What am I supposed to say? "I'm feeling kind of depressed. I feel a dark cloud today."
In an informal setting, I'll say "yo" as a greeting.
Just tell them you have to return some videotapes.
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