Don't say..."How are you ?".
People greet me at work regularly with "Hi, how are you ?".
I always reply with "I'm well" or "I'm going great guns".
I recently noticed that I never ask them how they are in reply. Never. I don't mean to be rude but I just kinda smile and keep walking. It's a bit bl**dy selfish, isn't it ?
So then I made a concerted effort to dive in as soon after with "I'm well and how are you ?". Trouble is, I keep forgeting and only remember the instant that I have walked on. I feel the urge to run back and ask them but obviously I am aware enough to know that that is even weirder.
Today I trialled "And you ?" but that doesn't work either. Even basic greetings are too complex for me.
August 8, 2008 at 6:18 PM
Hi D - How are you?
I also find that i just give the expected answer - like well thanks _ i always try and say well because I remember someone saying once that its bad manners to say good? is that right? but anyway I say well , even though I'm not feeling well. because noone really wants to know anymore than that - do they???
August 8, 2008 at 8:00 PM
If you want them to stop asking, try responding with "how long have you got?". Because most people aren't really interested in the answer.