Why do peeps ask you how you are when you're sat in the doctor's waiting room??

Question

IF you were ok...would you be there??

Yeah..but everyone says "I'm well thank you"...so why the hell waste the Doc.'s time if there is nothing wrong with you!

Answer 1

All comes down to a percieved heirarchy of illness I expect ...

I am more ill than you therefore if you are seen before me I can moan and whine, whinge and bleat about the injustice of system that lets you see the doctor with your sore toe instead of me with my terminal itchy finger ... or something like that ... ;-) ...

Answer 2

Because it's an accepted way of starting a conversation with someone & showing an interest in them, it's just customary way to say hello to someone you know or slightly know

Answer 3

50 years ago i remember my dad (a GP) saying he overheard people in the waiting room saying "how are you" and "hearing fine how are you"................. then they would come into the surgery and say "oh Doctor i feel awful"
it is in the nature of People to be cheerful when meeting each other, nobody likes a moaner.

Answer 4

Because they are nebby and want to know why you are there and think that if they ask if your ok your going to tell them your full medical history

Answer 5

This is custom. Just look them dead in the eye and start a conversation with, "Well, I just came back from the light and........"

Answer 6

They want to find out if you've got something catching.

Answer 7

As with everything they are just making conversation. Why don't you just humour them. Its not that hard is it?

Answer 8

Because they think your pregnant.