What exactly are the reasons for this? Just curious
Thanks!
2007-08-17 16:18:04 · 24 answers · asked by Ohioguy95 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
I think some people don't realize that it is the POLITE thing to do - respond in kind when someone asks how you are!
But this is just for situations when passing someone you know, not a stranger. And I don't think it's meant for big conversations, just as a greeting, not to get into the whole "Me knees hurt - I've got a cold - blah, blah"
When people don't ask me how I'm doing in return, I eventually stop asking how they are - I just say hello.
2007-08-18 07:35:33 · answer #1 · answered by Julie F 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Sometimes they forget. Honestly that used to happen to me all the time... only to realize slightly too late.
Or perhaps they don't really want to get into a conversation, or read the other persons body language wrong and is getting a little freaked out.
Or they're just selfish and don't care how other people are doing they'd rather just dwell on their own pitiful problems.
2007-08-17 23:23:53 · answer #2 · answered by littlebird 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Funny you ask this because I have noticed that I haven't been returning the question ... just answering "fine thanks", and continuing on. This would be to strangers though. If someone I knew asked me how I was, then I would respond "good", and then ask them how they are. So maybe it's just a matter of who it is you're asking. By the way, How are you?
2007-08-17 23:57:36 · answer #3 · answered by jezuzgirl 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You should be thankful they do not ask in return because their intentions might be so different than yours when you asked. Some people do respond after the salutation is been mentioned "good morning" by saying "what's so good about the morning?" Your state of polite being may not be on the same level or rhythm as those who never returned your saying to them. So count your blessings that you greeted them by showing great sense of concern...this is U.S.A.
2007-08-17 23:34:12 · answer #4 · answered by Doktorzero 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
That is generally accepted to be a rhetorical question, not really asking for a truthful answer, or the same question asked back.
2007-08-17 23:26:54 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sometimes it is done simply because it is an obvious formality only and the other person would just like to get to the point of why you're talking to them.
2007-08-17 23:24:19 · answer #6 · answered by sofia 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, for me, its awkward to go up to someone and say---"how are you?" I know its wierd. I like to start conversations off of other things. So when people ask me how i'm doing, I say something like----"i'm good, are you going out tonight?" I don't intend to be rude though.
2007-08-17 23:25:10 · answer #7 · answered by . 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am those people...I just know it's small talk and sometimes I don't have time to ask them back before I pass them by. Don't take it personally, but sometimes I just don't care.
2007-08-17 23:52:39 · answer #8 · answered by Mustang Sally 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
You know that is a good question. Here in the south we are very curtious to one another and ALWAYS ask back and are polite to one another. We can tell when someone is not from the south!
2007-08-18 07:12:28 · answer #9 · answered by A little Southern Comfort 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It's not intended to be rude, you caught them off guard.
Or, they were thinking of other things, etc,,, or
because of the culture in that place they don't think you want an answer.
2007-08-17 23:23:59 · answer #10 · answered by tharnpfeffa 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋