When someone says "How're you?" is it really a question or is it just a greeting?

Question

Are we supposed to actually answer it? Most of the time we just answer a short good and direct the same question back again like "Good! How're you?" Isn't that strange?

Answer 1

Yes. I am always amazed at people asking this question and before you can answer, they have actually walked past you. So I made up some descriptions to answer that question when asked:

"I am good, terrific, fantastic, wonderful, marvelous, great, super."

I do this and the response is always the same. I get them to actually stop because they realized I was still talking. And to cover up their nonchalant rudeness of not caring to hear you answer, this also makes them smile. But I insist, that if you ask me a question - you need to hear my answer.

Greetings should stop at Hi! or Good Morning/Day, etc. Greetings are not in question form and should not be substituted in a question form. It confuses people.

If you really look at the work culture is full of this action. They really don't care - that's the workforce greeting! Their way of being cordial, I guess. In other words, you can't say that they didn't say anything to you.

Answer 2

It depends on who is asking and in what situation. If you are at a store, a park, somewhere in public and an acquaintance or someone you have a minimal acquaintance with asks then it is a greeting. However, if it is a good friend, a family member, one of your grown or nearly grown children, or your husband or wife then it is a real question and you should give a proper answer, but one in which you feel comfortable with the level of communication you provide. It all depends on who it asking and the occasion. If you are sick, injured, in a hospital, then those asking how you are doing will be really wanting to know how you are. If you are in an accident, then strangers will want to know how you are too, it would not just be a greeting.

So, depending on who is asking and what the occasion is, it could be just a greeting or a real question needing a real answer.

Answer 3

I'm going to answer your question with another question. When you ask somebody "How're you?" do you really, and I'm asking you to dig deep here, give a solitary damn how they are? What if they really told you about their bursitis or that nasty anal itch that wont go away, no matter what product they use or how hard they pray? Are you truly interested in sitting through a 15 minute dissertation about their recent divorce or the fact that their neighbour painted their house a colour that inspires them to vomit whenever they glance out the kitchen window.
No my friend "How're you doin" should be politely returned with "Nice to see you again, gotta run now " and leave it the hell at that.

Answer 4

I believe that it is just a greeting. I do not think that people really want to know the answer to that question short of "fine thank you" or "OK" or "could be better"..... Some people take it literally and feel the need to really let you know and I do not think that is what most people have in mind.

Answer 5

I think our culture has turned it into just a greeting. I suppose people kept asking "how are you" to be polite, even though they really didn't care how the other person was, and the phrase evolved from there until it had little meaning other than a polite greeting. The uncaring people started it.

Answer 6

It is both. Yes, we are supposed to answer it or we come off as rude or stuck-up. I think it is a form of a greeting that shows that we care. No, I don't think it is strange;)

Answer 7

Depends on the person asking. I have a friend that says it and doesn't listen, so I say "My cat had puppies and the flowers are dying" and they say, "good, good" and move on. A really nice person otherwise! But I say something different every time and get the same response. Other folks ask me and wait to hear what I have to say. My favorite answer? I like to quote my late father, who would reply, "How much time do you have?"

Answer 8

I think it is a greeting, because usually, if you know the person well, later you will ask the person (again) "so, how are you?", which is a question, not a greeting.

Answer 9

I think it's just a greeting, but I always reply with "Great, how are you?" Alot of things in life are strange, but we always seem to continue with the same day to day routines, don't we?

Answer 10

I think it's a greeting. Cuz sometimes when people start telling me how they are, and i'm in a hurry, i kinda get stuck. But I'm always a listening ear. I am not usually in a hurry, so I'll listen.