4 ms·
"How are you?" is not at all a throw-away greeting among genuine friends in the US, at least not among those who think about what they're saying.
by everybodyknows 8y ago
"How are you?" is not at all a throw-away greeting among genuine friends in the US, at least not among those who think about what they're saying.
- learc83 8y agoWhen used as a greeting, even among friends, no one says how are you expecting any response other than "fine". >at least not among those who think about what they're saying. Words can have different meanings depending on context. "How are you?, or what's up?" can be used as greetings instead of questions. It has nothing to do with "thinking about what your saying".
- Bjartr 8y agoIn my experience* the genuine inquiry is vocalized sightly differently from the throw-away getting, but they definitely both exist. You'll get an odd look giving a genuine answer to the greeting and incredulity or even be considered rude if you answer the inquiry dismissively. Interpersonal communication is fraught with opportunities for misunderstanding at the best of times. *I've spent all 29 years of my life in the Northeast USA, for context.
- mlevental 8y ago>at least not among those who think about what they're saying. r/iamverysmart. unless you're on the spectrum it's very easy to distinguish between sincere inquiry and ritualized greeting.