Comments on: The Unpleasantness of Pleasantries

By: Dawn

Dawn — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 16:54:22 +0000

I am in line with Diana, when people ask me this, I like to tell them the truth, and if other people want to do the same with me, then I’m more than happy to strike up a genuine conversation with them, and spend time talking about how they feel.

By: Casey

Casey — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 20:56:56 +0000

http://i40.tinypic.com/oqyxbm.jpg

By: Katie

Katie — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 18:37:54 +0000

Let me just say sorry in advance for the next time I ask how you’re doing, because it is seriously just out of habit. I mean, I do hope things are going well for you, but maybe I should be asking more specific questions to show that I’m truly interested in someone’s personal life.

However, the question that is most bothersome to me is “So, what have you been up to?” I hate this question for a couple of reasons: One, because I’m never up to anything very interesting, so that leaves me with a lame answer; and two, because I usually don’t like talking about myself. But that might be because of reason #1. Still, I find myself asking this dumb question to other people out of habit.

By: Zhenia

Zhenia — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 16:10:23 +0000

I can empathize with you, KZ, especially since during my previous employment at Peet’s, I was forced to say “thank you” and “How are you doing?” to even the rudest of customers. Since I typically do not like to be talked down to, the last time a customer rudely asked when his drink was going to be ready (he only had been waiting two minutes), I politely told him, “Patience is a virtue.”

Don’t think he came back to our store again…

By: Diana

Diana — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 20:53:48 +0000

Yeah, I fail at social politeness and tact. I’m blunt, honest, and impatient. Poor Kevin … he can’t take me anywhere.

By: Diana

Diana — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 02:59:05 +0000

I pick honesty over politeness. If someone asksm “How are you?” Im going to say “Crappy. I’m sick but they made me come to work anyways.” It usually stuns them and they shut up and don’t bother trying to make conversation anymore. They may think I’m rude but to be honest Im pretty insulted with their un-geniune interest in my life. If you don’t want to know, don’t ask. That makes things simpler and more direct.

By: Darren

Darren — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 23:00:14 +0000

Diana must be a saint

By: Conrado

Conrado — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 02:40:14 +0000

Seriously. It’s always awkward when you are at a fast food joint and they ask you how you are and you say “I’m great, how about you?” and they have to answer “I’m good, what can I get you?” It’s kinda awkward I think. I think asking someone how they are doing is just like saying “Hello” and you should leave it at that.