2007-08-02 21:19:24 · 26 answers · asked by beena 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
Most often when someone asks "how are you" they are merely doing so to be polite. They really don't want to know that your wife/husband left you and took your dog too. It's just a conversational formality that everybody goes through. Unless the person is close to you, then I go into detail if I'm having a really crummy day or if I'm really excited about a personal matter.
2007-08-03 03:03:59 · answer #1 · answered by Not quite perfect 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's partly a polite and somewhat conditioned response.
And some of us, that more private, don't feel the need to share our problems with casual acquaintances or near strangers.
Or find it was asked in an inappropriate environment to drag out personal issues.
Or maybe some people just don't want to come off as being whiny, complaining and pessimistic in a society that is becoming more focused on how a good attitude and a smile is the answer to everything.
2007-08-03 04:27:10 · answer #2 · answered by i_have_cheese_dreams 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Because maybe you don't want to share all your problems. Also, if someone says 'How are you?' and smiles, then the other person replies 'I'm fine thank you' and smiles then the person who asked first is still happy, even person who was asked isn't. If the person asked starts moaning and complaining about everything that went badly in their life then the person who asked would feel unhappy as their friend is unhappy.
2007-08-03 08:47:26 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I worked with a guy named Brian. People would greet him by saying, "Hi, Brian. How are you today?" And Brian would proceed to list every jot and tiddle of imperfection in his recent medical history. He would tell them about any sinus infections, sore throats, back aches, fevers, or hang nails that he had had in the past week or two. The list was quite extensive. As for myself, I quickly learned to simply say 'hello' and not ask how he was doing.
The reason people simply say they are fine instead of actually telling you how they are is that they recognize that they are being given a greeting as a courtesy and that how they are feeling is not pertinent to the polite inquiry being made.
2007-08-03 04:41:32 · answer #4 · answered by Pulu Si Bagumba 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because to most people don't care anyway. They shake their heads, with eyes glazed over, nodding at you, but not hearing anything you say anyway. With all the trees in the Amazon coming down, people are just saving the oxygen for a more useful time.
2007-08-03 07:03:15 · answer #5 · answered by babydoll11000099874 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They dont want you in there business...
its rude to ask a person about there personal thoughts
So saying I'm fine is a polite way to keep you out of da bitness lol
2007-08-03 04:27:45 · answer #6 · answered by Elaine R 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because telling you I am fine is better than getting involved in an hour long conversation about all my problems in which you will be bored and sorry you asked, since you were just being polite, and I will end up looking like a whiny sissy.
2007-08-03 04:24:27 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
Unless the person who said that is close to you or is comfortable to share their true feelings with you, saying "I'm fine, thank you" is a polite answer than not responding to you at all.
2007-08-03 06:32:09 · answer #8 · answered by Mary Josette 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because most people don't want to spill their dirt to everyone they see. And, most people who ask how another person is doing don't really want to know in the first place. So, we just say, "Fine, thanks." It's easier for all involved.
2007-08-03 04:36:37 · answer #9 · answered by Anne 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Do you really want to hear everyone's maladies and problems?..Most people realize this and spare you by saying, They are "fine".
When you say "how are you", it is just a figure of speech..a more personal way of sating "Hi"...
2007-08-03 11:56:19 · answer #10 · answered by eric r 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋