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Post by Bobomommy on Jul 21, 2019 0:40:42 GMT
I usually say, “Great,” with a big smile. No one wants to hear the things I’m struggling with.
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milocat
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,570
Location: 55 degrees north in Alberta, Canada
Member is Online
Mar 18, 2015 4:10:31 GMT
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Post by milocat on Jul 21, 2019 0:57:10 GMT
Good good and you? Something neutral and sort of positive even if I'm not, no one likes a Debvie Downer when you aren't close.
Or I'll work the weather into it, good it's finally warm out, could be better if it wasn't so cold.
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christinec68
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,384
Location: New York, NY
Jun 26, 2014 18:02:19 GMT
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Post by christinec68 on Jul 21, 2019 0:58:33 GMT
This never hit my radar. If it’s used as a type of greeting, I say fine if it’s someone I have any type of rapport I’ll answer.
The one I can’t stand is when someone tells me to smile. Um, no.
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Post by peace on Jul 21, 2019 2:02:11 GMT
I say "fabulous" or "great" or "super". or whatever. I work with a lot of people and energy spreads like wildfire. I am upbeat and I know how contagious negativity can be- but so is positivity-- so I decided to lead with that. Always.
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Post by AussieMeg on Jul 21, 2019 2:07:50 GMT
I usually say fine thank you, whether it is or not. It doesn't really bother me, they're only trying to be polite. Exactly. When people such as sales people, acquaintances and strangers ask “How are you?” they are using it as a greeting - they don’t actually want to know that you’re feeling a bit crappy today. 😜 I would never say I was not feeling great, or up and down, or so-so to someone who asked that question. Only if it was a friend who genuinely wanted to know how I was.
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Post by AussieMeg on Jul 21, 2019 2:15:40 GMT
I say "fabulous" or "great" or "super". or whatever. I work with a lot of people and energy spreads like wildfire. I am upbeat and I know how contagious negativity can be- but so is positivity-- so I decided to lead with that. Always. I remember when I was doing work experience back in the 80s at a radio station where my Aunty worked . One of the guys in the marketing department, who also happened to be an AFL footballer, told me something that has stuck with me some 35 years later. He said “Next time someone asks you how you are, tell them that you are really great, in an enthusiastic tone, and just watch how they react.” So the next time someone asked me, I did exactly that. The person practically did a double take, then broke into a big grin, and responded really positively. So you’re right, positivity is contagious!
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kate
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,583
Location: The city that doesn't sleep
Site Supporter
Jun 26, 2014 3:30:05 GMT
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Post by kate on Jul 21, 2019 2:52:44 GMT
AussieMeg that is so true! I work with a guy who often responds "SUPER!" when I ask how he his. It's very inspiring. If I'm not doing great, I'll say, "Hanging in there," or "One step at a time!"
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georgiapea
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,846
Jun 27, 2014 18:02:10 GMT
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Post by georgiapea on Jul 21, 2019 3:09:00 GMT
I usual say "Great so far but ya never know the day could go to blazes in a heartbeat".
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PLurker
Prolific Pea
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Location: Behind the Cheddar Curtain
Jun 28, 2014 3:48:49 GMT
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Post by PLurker on Jul 21, 2019 3:45:17 GMT
Usually just "fine, thanks. You?" regardless of if I am.
(unless it's someone I know who really wants to know)
Once in a while I catch myself responding with my Missouri Gram's "fair to middlin' ". Then it makes me smile inside.
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Post by 950nancy on Jul 21, 2019 3:50:42 GMT
I generally say that I've had better days and say it in an upbeat voice. No need to bum others out.
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Post by 950nancy on Jul 21, 2019 3:54:16 GMT
This never hit my radar. If it’s used as a type of greeting, I say fine if it’s someone I have any type of rapport I’ll answer. The one I can’t stand is when someone tells me to smile. Um, no. This one sets me off as a full grown adult. If I had a nickel for every time an old guy told me this growing up. I don't know if this was a male midwestern thing to do, but man, I heard it a lot. I wasn't frowning growing up. I just wasn't giving off my best smile for the camera smile every waking minute. It usually was accompanied with, "then you'll look prettier." Uh, dude, I wasn't put on this earth to please you.
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Post by patin on Jul 21, 2019 5:27:36 GMT
My DH says, " Not bad for a man of my age." He told me the other day it doesn't get the smile or outright laughter it used to. I told him that unlike 30 years ago he IS a man of his age.
My standard answer lately is "Swell & you?" It usually garners at least a grin or someone saying it has been years since they last heard that word.
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StephDRebel
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,692
Location: Ohio
Jul 5, 2014 1:53:49 GMT
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Post by StephDRebel on Jul 21, 2019 5:47:48 GMT
I will never forget, we were in Annapolis a few years ago in the the elevator and I responded with "fine" He stood straight up looked me in the eye and said "fine? You are not fine. Do you know how I know you aren't fine? Because people like you and I are never just fine and it's selling the world short to diminish your experience like that" and then he got off if the elevator.
DH was with me so we joked about it for the day and then joked about how he wasn't involved so he can still walk around like a sloth.
But, the guy was cool and had great energy so I havent answered "fine" since that time.
I usually say 'I'm excited, what are you most excited about today? If they seem friendly or if they are dismissive I'll just say I am well, how are you.
It's amazing how many times my college students say people get excited when they answer that that are well. We were at breakfast a few months ago and the server threw her hand up, whooped, said 'finally someone who can answer with something other than 'good' and gave him a free biscuit with gravy.
And that is my biggest parenting win, because there is nothing better than free biscuits.
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weedeepea
Junior Member
Posts: 62
Mar 22, 2018 23:42:06 GMT
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Post by weedeepea on Jul 21, 2019 12:20:17 GMT
I usually just say, "Ok, and you?" And I don't know what it is about how I say it, but almost everyone says, "Are you sure?" And I always think, " What the hell...how bad do I look???"
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Post by gritzi on Jul 21, 2019 12:36:29 GMT
So very true! If one asks "how are you today or are you enjoying the hot (or snowy) weather" some define them as rude, intrusive, MYOB. If they don't offer a greeting or more than "hello or thank you" others define them as lacking customer service &/or rude. It's a no win situation for most.
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Post by peace on Jul 21, 2019 13:10:25 GMT
I say "fabulous" or "great" or "super". or whatever. I work with a lot of people and energy spreads like wildfire. I am upbeat and I know how contagious negativity can be- but so is positivity-- so I decided to lead with that. Always. I remember when I was doing work experience back in the 80s at a radio station where my Aunty worked . One of the guys in the marketing department, who also happened to be an AFL footballer, told me something that has stuck with me some 35 years later. He said “Next time someone asks you how you are, tell them that you are really great, in an enthusiastic tone, and just watch how they react.” So the next time someone asked me, I did exactly that. The person practically did a double take, then broke into a big grin, and responded really positively. So you’re right, positivity is contagious! exactly this!!! Exdh had a woman that worked for him and her standard answer was always an excited "GREAT!" I started experimenting after that and it is now a practice.
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anniebeth24
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,716
Jun 26, 2014 14:12:17 GMT
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Post by anniebeth24 on Jul 21, 2019 13:25:40 GMT
I have a co-worker who always answers with "Blessed and highly favored, how bout you?"
That's one I'd never heard before I met him.
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janeliz
Drama Llama
I'm the Wiz and nobody beats me.
Posts: 5,641
Jun 26, 2014 14:35:07 GMT
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Post by janeliz on Jul 21, 2019 13:39:06 GMT
By a sales clerk or stranger? My answer is almost always “Good. How about you?” Even if I’m not technically good.
With a coworker or friendly acquaintance I might have a slightly more personal answer like “Long day! You?” or something like that.
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Post by Spongemom Scrappants on Jul 21, 2019 13:40:30 GMT
When people such as sales people, acquaintances and strangers ask “How are you?” they are using it as a greeting - they don’t actually want to know that you’re feeling a bit crappy today. It's generally patently clear whether the question is being asked as a social pleasantry or by someone who generally wants a more truthful answer. I'm a pollyanna type person and you're generally always going to get a pollyanna type response from me.
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Post by **GypsyGirl** on Jul 21, 2019 13:43:58 GMT
I remember when I was doing work experience back in the 80s at a radio station where my Aunty worked . One of the guys in the marketing department, who also happened to be an AFL footballer, told me something that has stuck with me some 35 years later. He said “Next time someone asks you how you are, tell them that you are really great, in an enthusiastic tone, and just watch how they react.” So the next time someone asked me, I did exactly that. The person practically did a double take, then broke into a big grin, and responded really positively. So you’re right, positivity is contagious! exactly this!!! Exdh had a woman that worked for him and her standard answer was always an excited "GREAT!" I started experimenting after that and it is now a practice. "Great!" is what I say to people, in an upbeat manner. It is typically met with an upbeat response. People will mirror your tone and actions. The question "how are you doing" is nothing more than a social greeting in nearly all cases. Why bring other people down with a depressing answer? Now if my doctor or my very best friend ask me how I'm doing, they are going to get an honest answer. But for the average sales clerk or person I encounter out and about, "Great!" is a better reply.
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