Is it rude????

Question

When someone says 'hi how are you' and you answer and then dont ask them back. Sometimes i forget to ask how they are and they might think im rude.

Answer 1

'How are you?' has just become a standard greeting, doesn't require an answer. Sometimes I answer "How ya doin'" back, which isn't really an answer. You just have to acknowledge, doesn't really matter what you say.

Answer 2

I think it all depends on the situation. Sometimes people ask how you are in hopes of getting a "how are you doing?" back because they are down in the dumps. Other times, it's simply a greeting, and not expected to be reciprocated. If you go home thinking about this question after it's happened, your "six sense" might be telling you that this person was having a bad day, and needed a "how are you". If this is the case, remedy the circumstance by picking up the phone and calling the person, saying: "Say, when I saw you today, I forgot to ask you how you were doing. How's everything going?" Good Question....and Good luck to you!

Answer 3

How do you feel when you ask someone and they don't ask you in return.
It is a sign of being considerate. Some people may actually be interested, but for most it is a learned greeting and often not expected to be asked in return.
Be a "real" person. Always be considerate, that is a reality to many have strayed from, but be real.
People will think you rude if in fact your communications is rude. Communications is more than spoken. I am sure that as long as you are being you, and because you are concerned about this, you are a caring person and they will see that and be caring in return.

Thank you for being you.

good luck

Answer 4

Well, if it was me I wouldn't be offended. At least you responded which is more than most people do these days. Usually I get nothing or just a head nod.

I also look at it this way, you ask some people how they are doing and you might as well sit down cause it will be a while. Some just follow the understanding that you don't ask the question if you don't want to know the answer or have time to hear it.

Answer 5

It's not rude, it's a common oversight. We are all so busy, that we all sometimes forget to return the greeting. I'm sure the asker has forgotten at some point too!

Answer 6

Not really rude, 'how are you' is often use as part of the greeting, and sounds nicer than just saying 'hi' or 'hello'. I think it would only be considered rude if you just stared back with no friendly response at all.

Answer 7

Hello Carrot,

Well yesterday the man in the garage asked me how I was and I said fine, how are you. Then he told me how he was but I was miles away and didn't listen. I think that's much worse than not asking back.

The moral of the story is. Only ask how a person is if you're willing to listen.

Answer 8

I never bother asking someone how they are. Why? Because I don't really care how they feeling. Hey I'm not rude just honest.

Answer 9

No I don't think it matters much. People generally only ask for something to say, I mean you usually say something like "fine" or "not bad" you don't going into a lengthy discussion about every aspect of your health or domestic situation. Most people wouldn't worry too much I don't think.

Answer 10

Lets say that to be polite, you are not really supposed to answer (nothing beyond the "very well thank you, and yourself")...

Just make a little effort, sometimes social interaction hangs really on little things. If you force yourself to remember a few times, pretty soon it will become natural.