I went shopping the other day & the cashier said "Hi!! How are you??" I told him the truth that I felt Tired & Crappy & he said he didn't really want to know....So WHY do they ask???
I told him the truth!!! Should you tell the truth when they ask, of just say "OK" even if my day sucked???
2007-03-22 06:14:07 · 16 answers · asked by Catcanscratch 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
If people don't want the answer...WHY DO THEY ASK??? When I worked in the pet store around here I never asked anything I didn't want to know....I would say "Hi, is there anything I can help you with??" "Welcome!! How may I help you??"
Why don't people stop that & just say "Hello"
2007-03-22 06:26:35 · update #1
"How are you" has become a very common greeting. I use it all the time where I work, it's a way of opening the conversation, like "hello". That, I feel is acceptable and I get confused when people get mad at me for using it.
BUT - and this is a huge but - that cashier was completely out of line to say "I didn't really want to know" - if you say "tired and crappy" then he should have responded appropriately - "I'm sorry to hear that", at the very least (and to those of you who snap at me "no you're not", shut up - I'm only not sorry to hear that if you're going to be an ***hole about it - I *do* care about my customers, and I notice when my regulars are under the weather or disappear for awhile!), or wished that your day might get better, or *something*. If I see someone that's not doing too well, I always try my best to send them off with a smile - that *is* a part of my job, and I consider it just as important as getting everything right. If they don't want it, then fine, they can go off and continue feeling like crap for the rest of the day, but thankfully, most of the time they're quite willing to be cheered up and we both end the transaction feeling a little better.
2007-03-22 12:36:03 · answer #1 · answered by L B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Haha..:-) Yes that happens a lot. "how are you" is like "hello
actually. Maybe your reply should be another "how are you" and that's it..that's what they expect :-)). But to people we are not close to, just a fine or good is enough I feel... Like say, in a work setting, when u pass by a colleague in the hall you don't know very well, but are just familiar with. Or sometimes, even with someone we know very well, but suppose you dont have enough time and are in a rush, then u could just say "ok" to their how are you, and end it there. U dont have to fake it and say "great" if you don't feel great. But with someone we have to fake it. It's just the way it goes.
If I ask how are you, I will definitely wait till they answer. If, for eg, someone answered the way you did...I would feel good that you felt close or comfortable enough with me to say that. I would love your honesty. But a person needs to have a certain kinda patience and goodwill and sensitivity to appreciate this.
But I am amazed at this cashier's rudeness when he said he didn't wanna know. That's terrible.
2007-03-22 08:12:14 · answer #2 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well the cashier seems like he was just a jerk, most of the time when people ask you "How was your day?" they want you to tell them okay or something pleasant not any details. No matter how bad your day is going trust me it could have been worse. That's why most people say it went okay. Anything could have happened. You could have died, someone you loved could have died, you could have been robbed, kidnapped, raped or millions of other terrible things, but the fact that you escaped all these is a blessing, which makes everything else alright in perspective. So don't be so quick to complain. Honestly I don't ask people things I don't care to know, maybe sometimes to make polite conversation but I just naturally care about others. If I ask you about your day and you said that it was horrible I would ask why because I'm nosy and I would like to know, not everyone is like that. They don't mean everything they say.
2007-03-22 06:24:21 · answer #3 · answered by April 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
In context, this is a polite pleasantry between strangers. You're not on your psychologists couch where he just can't wait to wade into your inner demons. It's not an invitation to destroy the guy's day be regaling him with how much life sucks.
In reality, it sounds like you were very rude to the clerk, not the other way around. I can picture the poor guy working all day, dealing with cranky customers and then you bark at him.
Maybe I'm misreading the situation, but it sounds like the same argument malicious people use to excuse the terrible things they say to hurt others, namely "Well, I was just being honest!" as if that's an excuse.
2007-03-22 08:45:39 · answer #4 · answered by Jon S 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Ok, i'm a cashier, and the reason why we ask is because we have to. We have to make small talk with the customers and make you feel "special" and we want you to return to our store, and hope you had a good expierence and hopefully tell your friends and family to shop here.
So just lie! When the customers ask how I am doing, even though i'm having a crappy day, i lie and say i'm doing good,great,fine..ect.
2007-03-22 07:28:49 · answer #5 · answered by ♥Brown Eyed Girl ♥ 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
i replaced into going to answer this question yet, having examine the reaction from "Oscar H.", i found out that he mentioned all of it...and much extra eloquently than i ought to. Pollyanna analyzing Nostradamus. Now that could be a daunting theory. Kudos to you Oscar! Locke and Jefferson could be happy with you. it type of feels to me, which you prefer not chosen between Roark and J.C. you have already achieved Roarkdom! might Goobleskeera bless you and shop your cup continuously on the altar of Pimponious.
2016-10-19 08:33:32 · answer #6 · answered by thedford 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it is polite but no one really wants to know, and in retail your are told to ask and strike up a conversation. This makes people feel comfortable. I have worked in retail for 7 years and hate smiling and saying hi but you have to or you will get in trouble come review time or at least not get a raise
2007-03-22 09:09:36 · answer #7 · answered by Big Daddy R 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
People are making conversation when they ask "how are you," especially when they are in service positions. They are told to be polite. When someone you do not know asks how you are, give the polite answer and say OK or fine.
When friends ask "How are you," they probably really want to know. These are the people you can say you are Tired and Crappy to. Your friends care. Service personnel don't.
2007-03-22 06:26:41 · answer #8 · answered by istitch2 6 · 1⤊ 3⤋
Say ok to people you dont know, and tell the others those you know the truth . :)
and i think when strange people ask how are you they just want to start chatting or so...
2007-03-22 06:27:14 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
It's just the polite thing to say and people say it without even realizing they just asked a retorical question.
2007-03-22 06:21:04 · answer #10 · answered by starlight_940 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋