Social Question

iphigeneia's avatar

"How are you?": What is your response?

Asked by iphigeneia (6237points) October 22nd, 2010

I am asking specifically about interactions with strangers or acquaintances. Hopefully my friends actually do care how I am.

Do you answer the question, or do you assume that the asker has no interest in how you actually are, and so no answer is necessary?

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28 Answers

lucillelucillelucille's avatar

I am always great :) sometimes I will even sing them alittle song

Aesthetic_Mess's avatar

“Good” and I always leave it at that, even when I am the farthest from “good”. I never tell people when I’m feeling bad.

BarnacleBill's avatar

I ignore it, and take it for the greeting that it is.

BoBo1946's avatar

I’m doing fine.

I don’t read anything into it accept what it appears to be…a person being nice!

Adirondackwannabe's avatar

Unless I’ve just been hit by a bus or a garbage truck, and am bleeding profusely, I take it as a greeting and move on.

ucme's avatar

Oh i’m fine, yourself?

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picante's avatar

I generally respond “good, and you?” Unless I’m having a really, really, really bad day and the person asking is someone I know well, in which case I’ll say “I’ve had better days, and how are things with you?”

Kayak8's avatar

I typically respond with one of two greetings. “Nearly flawless” which seems to make people happy (they smile). And lately, when things are rather stressful, I say, “Livin’ my damn dream.”

Tuesdays_Child's avatar

I am blessed and how are you? :~)

Adirondackwannabe's avatar

George Carlin said his favorite response was “I’m moderately neato”.

Foolaholic's avatar

I’m not dead yet. How about yourself?

muppetish's avatar

Depends on how I am feeling on that particular day.

- Good day: “I’m great, thanks, and you?”
– Not-so-great-day: “I’m alright, thanks.”
– Bad day: “Well, I must be fine ‘cause my heart’s still beating.”

I have found that I am more inclined to lie about how I am feeling to people I actually know. There was a period in high school where if I said “I’m tired” my close friends would know that something was wrong and I was trying to get out of discussing it. I had to change how I responded to them after that.

partyparty's avatar

I’m absolutely fine. Hope you are also :)

OpryLeigh's avatar

I usually answer this question with either “I’m fine thank you, you?” or “Not too bad thanks”.

fanatic's avatar

What a coincidence! I just ask myself about this. However, it was sent to me by a girl. At that time, i was not in a mood to talk to her. so i said, ‘all praises to god’ and she continue to message me.wow

LuckyGuy's avatar

“Fine! How are you doin’?”

If my friend and I are out having an early breakfast someplace (Perkins) and he asked I’d might say:
“Oh man! I am busy. This one contract is a nightmare. Are you booked?”

efritz's avatar

I say “Fine.” Then I think, shit! I sound boring. But that’s usually how I feel . . . finely bored.

GladysMensch's avatar

“Can’t complain.”

johlucmoha's avatar

sometimes I would say, “I am fine” when I am not.

Austinlad's avatar

Depends on how well I know the person who asks, but of the time I simply say, “Good, thanks. You?”
I’ve found that’s really about all most people want/need to hear.

downtide's avatar

I say “I’m fine thanks, and you?”. It’s nearly always true. And if it isn’t, it’s not something I’d want to share with anyone but my closest friends.

Neizvestnaya's avatar

Co workers: “I’m wonderful, thanks for asking- you?”

Acquaintances: “I’m well, how have you been?

Friends: I’ll tell the truth if there’s something unusual but otherwise I’m usually in the Pink.

Patamomma's avatar

I work as a clerk and my answers always vary. If it’s someone that I know I can cut up with I’ll say something to the effect of “well I’d bitch but, no one would want to hear it.” Or “finer than frog hair split 4 ways.” Two of my faves.

4ThaSouL's avatar

“I AM SUPER! THANKS FOR ASKING!”...Gotta luv South Park!

radgirl333's avatar

“I am doing just great…..I hope you are!” But you gotta really mean it. I almost always get a smile with a tiny pause because its unexpected…occasionally a “Do you really care?” but its amazing how many people appreciate it!

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