I'm just curious if this is just me here...
So I overheard something today that always bugs me. I'm in my office and I hear from around the corner on speakerphone:
"Hi [Joanne]. How are you?"
"I'm fine. How are you-so I was wondering if you...blah blah blah."
The part that bugs me you wonder? [Joanne] saying, "How are you" and then just steamrolling right into what she wants to get to. Do we really need to say this little "pleasantry" everytime we get on the phone with someone? So many people don't seem to care anyway. Is it more rude, I wonder, to not say, "How are you?", or to say it, and then not wait for the answer and keep walking past the person or start talking about what you want to say?
I personally try to keep up with social norms by consistently asking people how they are doing. I try to mean it, too. I don't always do it though. If I ask you how you are doing, you can be sure that I actually am interested in the answer. Unfortunately, I feel like I'll always be wondering if people actually care to hear how I'm doing. I'm sure that's partly just me, but also in large part it's having seen too many times when the above interaction prevails.
Hope you all are doing well. :)
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4 comments:
I'm fine. How are you? How 'bout those Angels?
Good post, Robbie. Unfortunately, all of us are guilty at one level or another. Thanks for reminding us to be more genuine when we ask the question.
The word verification here is "boisk." Maybe that should be the word for this conversational glitch. "Hey...don't BOISK me. If you don't want to know how I am, don't ask!!!"
I had a pastor who, as a test, would often answer with a straight face, "Well I found out yesterday I have pancreatic cancer." More often than not, the person would say, "That's great," and launch into whatever they wanted to talk about.
Saw your comment on Dons blog about your dad slipping you money. When I would come home for the weekend, dad would wait till I was packed and ready to head out in the car, come out when mom wasn't looking and slip me a 20. Knowing at the time that he had to work 5 hours to make that much made it really special
yeah Rick. It would have been different if we came from millionaire families. Sometimes, although I don't think at any given moment I would have said no to a million dollars, I like to think that I'm lucky to have grown up how I did so that I can appreciate life, money, relationships, etc. for what they are and not take them for granted.
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