How are you?

Question

All right, this phrase is sooo overused. people are like how are you. . .good, how are you. . good. . . 99% of the time, the preceding exchange results in two lies. Lets brainstorm and think of some ways we can genuinly greet people we see that we know.. .

Answer 1

Well the only way you could do that is by personalising your question to fit some event that happened in that person's life -so you would have to know them personally to some extent. An example would be..."so how's that sore tooth coming along...getting better?"

We tend not to use this formality with people we already know because well...we're probably not going to be judged over the absence of a formality by people who already know us so well!

We ask "how are you" as a formality with people we don't know to avoid being called "socially inept" ...its the same as handshaking, I personally find that pretty pointless myself but its still a formality we need to do to look "socially normal".

So now that that's cleared up, I guess you have no other option but to ask "how are you" unless you openly contest its significance which will probably make you look like a nutcase - lovely culture we live in isnt it... :)

Answer 2

well everybody lies when they answer this question because you don't wanna dump your problems on someone else. But to tellyou the truth, right now I am a little tires and craving a good cup of coffee.

Answer 3

In Hungary, if you don't really know the person that well you can just say,"I wish you a good day."
Simple and formal but something different.

Answer 4

Hello whats new with you? or What have you been up too?
hope i could help

Answer 5

a formality, that's it.

Answer 6

im good!! what about you?