How are you?

 When people ask the question “How are you?” The response usually paces with: “Fine” “great” “Alright” even when that is farthest from the truth of how you really feel, empty and sad. You could even be having a terrible day. The truth is, that particular question can be extremely difficult to answer. There are slight variations to this question. 

To me this question is disingenuous.  I sense that people expect you to answer with, "I'm fine, how are you?" or something along those lines. People don’t even have the time to listen. ‘How are you?’ is a greeting, and it is a stupid greeting. It makes things awkward and people don’t even answer honestly. It has been so wired in culture it is a habit to break. It should have in its place, the prudent, yet simple “Hey!” followed by a wave if you are that enthusiastic.  

Types of waves: the one-handed rainbow wave; the two-handed rainbow wave; keeping the flies away wave for those who live in Australia; windshield wiper wave; waving at a random that you thought was somebody you know but was not wave. The howdy-doodie wave and the ocean wave. The last one is for surfing. Okay, I got a bit carried away! I was going to say Katrina & the waves but then I’d be walking on sunshine.   

“How are you?” Should only be asked if you are willing to sit down and listen to the whole life story of that particular person whom you asked the question of, be it that friend or family member, that person who you have met a couple of times or just met yeah you do not even remember their name. What was their name?  

By all means ask this question if you mean it. Or better yet ask questions like:

What was the most interesting thing that happened to you today?

What is the best bit of your day so far?

Howdy-doodie wave,

M-J.