2006-11-21 15:35:19 · 21 answers · asked by Julie 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Other - Society & Culture
It's "safer" for all concerned.
The asker is usually just being polite and really doesn't want to hear that you are NOT fine and then reason(s) why.
The responder doesn't usually want to make themselves vulnerable by suggesting that they are NOT fine.
There are two good, good friends who, when they ask me how I am, and I'm NOT fine that day, I will tell them and then we'll have a good, healthy chat. If I am fine, I will tell them why I'm fine and then we'll have a good, healthy chat!
2006-11-21 15:40:22 · answer #1 · answered by WindWalker10 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
it's either fine, ok, or good. the reason is there's so much more to the answer than one can divulge. would you prefer to always get this answer instead: "Well, i'm ok, i mean, i feel fine, but things haven't been going too well at home. i feel like i'm stuck; always doing the same this and that. i'd like to get out more, but i just never have the time or the energy once i'm done with work or school. and everything's so expensive nowadays. no one wants to spend quality time anymore. it's not easy to just call someone up to go out at any random time, you know? i mean, things are pretty good, but it's the little things that are getting to me. i need a vacation. a real vacation where i can just forget everything here and leave all my stress behind. anyway, how are you doing?"
honestly, "how are you" is asked in passing and people don't have the time to answer. otherwise, it's just asked as a greeting. it requires a deeper relationship of some sort to be able to talk about problems in life or even jsut gossip about the good stuff. basically, people feel that one thing or another is going wrong for them, so they are much more likely to be feeling bad for themselve(more or less) and so they answer in a way to suggest that things could be better. it's rare that anyone will actualy be feeling great or will actually say that things are "fantastic". just think about it. do you really care how they feel? because you would probably ask in a more sincere manner to get a fuller answer on how they really feel.
2006-11-21 23:46:51 · answer #2 · answered by jamoncita 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Years ago people would, with a nod of the head, express "Good day" or "Hello Madam / Sir" and the other would reply in kind. Today that same "hello" is expressed as "How are you" with a reply of "Fine". It's simply a form of greeting for a moments passing. But I think your thought really might be why does one ask "How are you" when they really might not care. And, the other replies "fine" when they really might not be fine. It's really just a greeting that is expressed in a clumsy and light way. Just enjoy that someone really is simply saying " Hi ". But...you already knew this...right.? Smiles.
2006-11-22 00:11:59 · answer #3 · answered by onelight 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it is just a line to open conversation. I often wonder, if the person asking really cares how I am. My reply of "Fine" more or less just acknowledges the question. That is usually my reply regardless of how I feel. If I reply with how I really feel, most of the time the other party isn't interested in hearing what I have to say or they ask for more details than I would care to share.
I once replied with a sad story when asked how I was doing by a telemarketer. Their reaction proved to me that they really could care less. It was the fasted that I have ever gotten rid of a telemarketer. LOL
2006-11-21 23:41:56 · answer #4 · answered by tootsie1115 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Saying those may seem stupid, but actually it is a very important social structure. You are inviting another person to share a bit of you, and to show you care and that he cares. After this invitation is made, then people may go on more easily to speak of things in more detail. If not, then you have at least acknowledged each other which is so important.
2006-11-21 23:39:52 · answer #5 · answered by a_phantoms_rose 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This expression was started during the "plague" in Europe.
In those days everyone was really concerned about each other's health. Why? Cause if the person was not "fine" then you might catch the plague from them.
2006-11-21 23:39:35 · answer #6 · answered by MrsOcultyThomas 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Maybe they don't want to elaborate on how they're really feeling. And saying fine is a way to get out of a long drawn out conversation.
2006-11-21 23:39:22 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I had a person who would give me a twenty minute rundown on his current health condition when I asked this question so if I were you I would be happy with fine.
2006-11-21 23:39:37 · answer #8 · answered by ColMad 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
fine is like ok average not great but not bad either. Thats why I use it.
2006-11-21 23:38:48 · answer #9 · answered by SunShineBabe 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
As an Aussie, we say ' How the bloody hell are ya?'.
It gets a better response! LOL
2006-11-21 23:40:09 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋