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The 'how are you doing' you always seem to get from total strangers always baffles me when I visit that country. Whats, worse, it's not a real question, but jus
by oneplane 10y ago
The 'how are you doing' you always seem to get from total strangers always baffles me when I visit that country. Whats, worse, it's not a real question, but just a protocol that demands the "I'm fine, thank you" type of answer in all cases. Neither party gets anything out of it, and instead of being some sort of prelude/preamble it's just something on it's own with no use whatsoever.
- paulryanrogers 10y agoThis had bothered me in the past despite growing up in a culture that demands it. Yet many things in language are far removed from their original intent, and we accept them (i.e. irregular verbs). Personally I try to use less invasive openers, or at least take a moment to genuinely respond with how I feel at the time.