And it's not like you'll say anything besides "oh, great!" even if your miserable. It's almost rude to say how you are ACTUALLY feeling... I find it pretty odd. Thoughts??
2007-10-12 02:51:58 · 27 answers · asked by phrenitus 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
It's funny b/c I think deep down we all feel this way about the "dreaded how are you?"
In actuality though the term derives from the earlier concepts of curtesy that were so readily apparent (and somewhat laughable by today's standards) they seem out of place today.
Remember the 1950s cartoons where the Beaver family would always ask everyone how they were doing and get a bright and chipper response or something that led to comedic drama?
That's kinda' how it works in today's standards accept the meaning has been lost.
As stated earlier is more an acknowledgement of someone's presence rather than actual question.
If you respond that you don't feel well or that there is something the matter, depending on the person they may/may not care and may actually be slightly annoyed by such a response because, as I said, its not about how you are more that you know that they "care" that you exist.
2007-10-12 05:13:06 · answer #1 · answered by Rob 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that would be considered a general "ice breaker." It starts off conversations. I mean, yes ppl sometimes dont necessarily care. but i mean, it helps break awkward silence alot of times. and then again---some people do really care. When i talk to someone i havent talked to in a while and say "HOW ARE YOU?!" I mean it... i wanna know how they have been. And you know when your getting an honest answer if the answer is not just 'ok' 'fine' 'great' and u actually get a "well...
2007-10-12 02:57:49 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
"how are you?" is something you say to someone you care about. In my experience I am often asked "how are you?" by total strangers. I worked in a high traffic place for awhile and sometimes when I would greet customers ("welcome in") they would answer "fine". Other times someone would say "how are you? I need blah blah..." not waiting for an answer. I thought about it and I think there are two underlying reasons for someone to talk and behave that way. One is that it reassures the person that everything is "fine" because they ask that question to get that answer and maybe it calms their inner fears to hear "fine" all day. The next reason is that it reassures their ego that they are in fact the peaceful compassionate spirits and part of the solution and not just the average consuming and competing person. Just my opinion but this is from San Francisco 2015 in one of the most expensive places in the world.
2016-03-26 17:15:24 · answer #3 · answered by feltdragon 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i had a battle with this when i started a job and they wanted you to be happy 247 they asked how i was i said good for what it is worth.. no now you need to be happy! my grandma died oh i'm happy see my smile! why do you ask how i am if you really don't care!
i didn't work there long!
but now that i'm older i see why they ask!
most of your answers have it
polite etiquette! ice braker, helps gain a vibe on someone example if you say ohh i'm okay chances are i will avoide you! not because i don't like you because your having a bad day and i don't want to be apart of it!
so i get to get my reactions on you by this opening statement other then hi..
Hi, How are you? say that backwards word for word!! LOL
2007-10-12 03:02:25 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
When they've got nothing to say and they wanna sound like they really care about how you're doing.
I think it's one of those superficial things. Just like asking if someone's been working out, when they don't look any better than the last time you've seen them.
2007-10-12 03:21:27 · answer #5 · answered by monofinity 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
hello its rude not to ask.
and its rude unless you are futher invited to ***** about your situation.
even the biggest a#@holes ask how are you,
you know they don't give a toss but its defencive and offencive not to.
so if its not a close friend or family member just say fine.
professional or strangers are not interested in your situation so you will just have to live with that and move on.
family and friends are all that matters any way.
2007-10-12 03:02:08 · answer #6 · answered by nikki.j star 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Etiquette
2007-10-12 02:54:47 · answer #7 · answered by ~*Bella*~ 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
It is the polite thing to do to greet someone or shout in passing, "How are you?" and then you answer back in a positve way. But when a good friend asks you that, then it is certainly ok to be honest. lol
2007-10-12 03:20:06 · answer #8 · answered by Sadeae 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Because it's etiquette, and it's also a good way to start and develop conversations. You don't have to say the truth to socialize successfully, too.
2007-10-12 03:21:17 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
tradition-polite- show that they are worry about the others health
you answer me that what u will think about the person who dont ask u how are u, after seeing u 4 a while?!
2007-10-12 05:21:20 · answer #10 · answered by Cayanne 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋