Why do we do this?

nat89 · (#1 (**permalink**))

I have realised that there just some things we say that literally rolls off our tongues.
Say you meet a friend in town, You greet him/her then you ask how they are doing? But do you really care about how they are doing? I found myself in this situation today, it only hit me afterwards that i could care less about how that person is doing!
Is it out of politness that we ask? To keep the conversation going? Or is it a habit? I have pondered about this for some hours now and really i have no clue why it is we bother to ask and we probably loathe that particular person.Why do we need to know how someone is doing?

Or does this all lie within the the english language?

mutuko · (#2 (**permalink**))

Just a formality, its cames out automatically. Its being calm not sounding rude.

okiedokes · (#3 (**permalink**))

I know what you mean girl. In fact I've been annoyed sometimes when someone whom I know couldn't care less asks how I'm doing 'cos I know it's just to get the scoop on my life.

I believe some people are genuine but it is more often a case of formality, to keep a conversation going, etc. Some people will ask "what's up?" like 3 times back to back, I don't get it. ha ha

Wababa · (#4 (**permalink**))

I stopped greeting people long ago because i see no meaning to it.
That has driven me across the grain with those that hold greetings with a religious esteem.

nat89 · (#5 (**permalink**))

Im glad most of you seem to see it like i do!
As in there is no point of being kind to anyone so why pretend?
Especially someone who has no meaning to your life whatsoever. They dont even deserve that hi.
I never let conversations go to deep, i usually say hi and somehow cut it short if im not intereted in having one with you. And its not cause im rude, its just that i dont see the point.

kiptur · (#6 (**permalink**))

What is strange with saying hi to strangers?

Are you not the kind of people that complain at the top of their voice that customer care representative of company X is rude just because he/she din't say hi to you?

Wonders never cease,If i say hi to you,you say what is it for?
if i dont say hi to you,unasema ati ninaringa!

nyira · (#7 (**permalink**))

Its just but a formality,and also ethical (moral connotation).What really creates a ruckus within me is when somebody tells me 'I Love You'.In most cases we end up admiting back 'Love you too',which is seldom the case.

jasakwa · (#8 (**permalink**))

Quote:

Originally Posted by nat89

I have realised that there just some things we say that literally rolls off our tongues.
Say you meet a friend in town, You greet him/her then you ask how they are doing? But do you really care about how they are doing? I found myself in this situation today, it only hit me afterwards that i could care less about how that person is doing!
Is it out of politness that we ask? To keep the conversation going? Or is it a habit? I have pondered about this for some hours now and really i have no clue why it is we bother to ask and we probably loathe that particular person.Why do we need to know how someone is doing?

Or does this all lie within the the english language?

Nat 89 imagie its not just english,the sorts of greetings are also in our mother tongues.I think it is just part of human nature driven by courtesy and passed from one generation to the next,

Elianto · (#9 (**permalink**))

Quote:

Originally Posted by nat89

I have realised that there just some things we say that literally rolls off our tongues.
Say you meet a friend in town, You greet him/her then you ask how they are doing? But do you really care about how they are doing? I found myself in this situation today, it only hit me afterwards that i could care less about how that person is doing!
Is it out of politness that we ask? To keep the conversation going? Or is it a habit? I have pondered about this for some hours now and really i have no clue why it is we bother to ask and we probably loathe that particular person.Why do we need to know how someone is doing?

Or does this all lie within the the english language?

Its a reflex...like chekin' out a man's crotch.....

Sugarplum · (#10 (**permalink**))

Greetings aside. The one that irks me the most is this line..."I'm happy for you" when you know well and true how much it pains them that you are moving up!