2007-05-06 21:16:19 · 30 answers · asked by Epicurus 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
very good question-i often get asked-how are you, i barely ever get the chance to reply! people usually only ask if they had a fantastic weekend and feel that by asking you about yours it gives them the right to bang on about how great theres was-like you care!!lol!!
2007-05-06 21:23:21 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
It's polite to begin with, but others often do care enough for a shorter answer, though they don't always have time to hear a long, detailed explanation. If you want to share the details with someone, be sure that person knows you well enough to be that interested. Then start with the encapsulated version first.
That's the version to share with those you aren't sure have the time for the details. Plan it ahead of time and you may be able to tell your friends plenty, and be asked for more on the story later.
2007-05-06 21:39:44 · answer #2 · answered by Jeanne B 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it is called 'stroking'
we are all primates, and we demonstrate the same behaviors as all primates do with our language instead of our bodies
when we see a co-worker or associate or neighbor every day, we either nod or say hello, those are 'strokes'
when we don't see that person for a few days, we try to compensate for the lack of strokes by saying more than just 'hello', (how was your weekend? how was your vacation? etc)
among primates, strokes might seem meaningless but they are the unspoken bond that keeps the 'troop' together
we humans need those bonds too
2007-05-07 00:29:07 · answer #3 · answered by jamesmom 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They are making small talk. It's just an opening to a conversation that may lead to a real discussion.
And who says they don't care? I'm always up for knowing what people did over the weekend!
2007-05-06 21:24:01 · answer #4 · answered by ohhnicholas 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋
to be polite and thoughtful plus it is etiquette that is taught on how one should behave..it gives you an opportunity to communicate and to chat and also to make conversation and to get to know people better..and you are wrong about some people not caring because they actually do so therefore you are making a generalization..most people ask me how my weekend was,listen to a short overview and then i ask about theirs and form there we start conversing..
2007-05-06 21:26:29 · answer #5 · answered by icycrissy27blue 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe they do care. I do when I ask. If you're sure people don't care it can be a form of phatic talk. Phatic talk is used to build or establish social relationships. Other examples are 'how are you?', 'Hello' etc.
2007-05-07 03:58:40 · answer #6 · answered by Nat 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
they are trying to be nice and make small talk..when we already know that they dont really care...so how nice is that??? so, just answer them with a bunch of boring BS about your weekend and chances are they wont ever ask you again.
2007-05-06 21:23:36 · answer #7 · answered by piecies_81 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I know - plain rude! I used to work with a woman who would ask this and as I went to tell her she would walk off! Dont ask if your not interested because Im not really intersted in what they did either
2007-05-06 21:25:43 · answer #8 · answered by Tabbie 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
How do you know that they don't care? May be they want to join the next week-end if it appear attractive to them!
2007-05-06 21:40:50 · answer #9 · answered by autor06hj 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
To make conversation or because it's seen as something society seems to think we should ask each other.
2007-05-06 21:56:13 · answer #10 · answered by Trish C 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋