Why do people insist on asking you how you are doing when they don’t care to hear the truth?

1 Answer

Answer :

This bothers me sometimes, especially when I am feeling upset or depressed, haha. I think it’s very cultural, though. In France, for instance, a shopkeeper would never ask you “How are you doing?” in a general way, if they didn’t know you, whereas an American shopkeeper might often greet unknown customers this way. I take it as a sign of in the informality of general American culture.

Related questions

Description : Why do we say "hi" whenever we meet people?

Last Answer : Because it’s nice? Not the answer you are looking for, but still I think it is.

Description : Are you friendly?

Last Answer : I try to be.

Description : What is the proper way to address a widow?

Last Answer : answer:Traditional etiquette calls for Mrs. Older widows of my acquaintance have preferred that, and it's not any news to them that their husbands are gone. But fashion in forms of ... for one, appreciate your use of the more formal address instead of presumptuously defaulting to first name.

Description : When did hugging become the greeting of choice for so many?

Last Answer : I really don’t know but I wish it would go away. I’m tired of people getting offended when they try to invade my personal space and I put a hand up or take a step back. I probably don’t think you’re gross or anything, dude, I just really hate to be randomly touched. Ugh.

Description : "How are you?": What is your response?

Last Answer : I am always great :) sometimes I will even sing them alittle song

Description : Do you believe people would rather hear a truth they don’t like, or live with a lie they know isn’t true?

Last Answer : answer:Most people shield themselves from pain, which may be hypocritical but necessary to be able to move on and still enjoy life and not be crippled by self loathing. People could never learn anything from ... but it may be as much truth as they can handle at that time. Everything in moderation

Description : How many of those actors, who insist on doing their own stunts, are doing it because they consciously or subconciously need to compensate for their substandard acting ability?

Last Answer : In Cruise’s case, also because he is short ( 5’7” or so) and has to continuously prove how manly he is.

Description : A traveler, on his way to Miami, reaches a road junction, where he can turn left or right. He knows that only one of the two roads leads to Miami, but unfortunately, he does not know which one ... the traveler find out the way to Miami by asking just one question to one of the two brothers? -Riddles

Last Answer : The question that the traveler should ask is: 'Does the left road lead to Miami according to your brother?' If the answer is 'Yes', the traveler should turn right, and if the answer is 'No', the traveler should turn left.

Description : Maybe this isn't really a question, mod me, sue me, I don't care. Just asking, does anyone else want to celebrate that the first of the trapped Chilean miners has been rescued?

Last Answer : I have lost 2 customers I came to know to mine accidents and this rescue of the Chilean miners is short of overwhelming! Good for them….good for their families!!

Description : Why do cat lovers insist there is something wrong with you if you don't like cats?

Last Answer : I don’t think this applies to all cat lovers.

Description : What tells you what you want to hear, but hurts you when the truth is clear? -Riddles

Last Answer : A liar.

Description : Doing English practice. Asking native people for help.

Last Answer : Hi, and welcome to Fluther. I've made the changes that sound better to me: 1, we are the successor of communism. We are the successors of communism 2, please bathe your hands before you eat dinner. Please ... to go fishing a slender rod, a fishing reel and a hook are enough. I hope this is helpful.

Description : Does anyone else find it annoying that some of these local politicians have their small children or grandchildren doing commercials asking you to vote for their relative?

Last Answer : I find all commercials featuring children and grandchildren of the owners, or whomever, annoying. Unless they were my grandchildren, of course.

Description : When Scotty on Star Trek would say, "I am doing the best I can captain, was he telling the truth?"

Last Answer : Of course he wasn’t doing his best. I mean, sure he was making am heroic attempt, but he always had that last bit of reserve to draw on. Aren’t we all like that with our bosses? You always want to keep a few tricks up your sleeve for the day your fingered to above and beyond. My theory anyway.

Description : Why do people point to their wrist when asking for the time, but don't point to their crotch when they ask where the bathroom is?

Last Answer : Because they aren’t wearing a chastity belt.

Description : Any employers using this website care to answer this one? (No, I'm not asking to give me a job!)

Last Answer : answer: The usual standard format consists of personal profile, key skills/transferable skills, education, qualifications, experience/work history and then provide references. As you have listed it here, it is ... had someone read your CV to correct any typos or errors? It should be error-free.

Description : How do I contact Mac mail to find out what the password is that they insist they must have?

Last Answer : answer:Do you have an Apple care contract? If not, and you are willing to shell out $19.99 for a session with an Apple Care techie, call 1-800-MY-APPLE. My Apple care contract had expired and ... may be whistling Dixie. But the techs were able to burrow into my hard drive and find the damdest stuff.

Description : When someone says something is "So gross" why do they then insist you try it?

Last Answer : It’s a ‘sharing’ thing. I had this experience and if you have it too, we’ll have a shared experience. It’s a leftover from childhood.

Description : Why, when dealing with the elderly in a hospital, do doctors insist on talking to the family instead of the patient, when they are lying right there?

Last Answer : Because the elderly person’s hearing aids weren’t in? I don’t know Judi…I’ve only gone to the hospital twice with Mom, and both doctors and the staff directed their questions to her, not me.

Description : Are those who insist they are wise wise? Are those that claim enlightenment enlightened?

Last Answer : answer:Very arrongant remarks indeed . The test is quite simple . Can one who has no clue what enlightenment is stand to judge one who is claimimg such? You must walk the walk before you can judge ... . So whether they are right or wrong , who are those who can judge? Most follow popular opinions

Description : Why do ladies insist they look better in tighter clothing?

Last Answer : answer:Perhaps they feel comfortable and attractive in what they’re wearing, and aren’t dressing to please you. I don’t happen to think it’s aesthetically pleasing either when a large person shows a lot of skin or clothes that I think are too snug, but it’s also so not about me.

Description : Why do Southerners, who admit they can't drive in snow, insist on going out and sliding into each other like bumper cars during every snowstorm?

Last Answer : “You’d better drive home fast, because the roads are bad.” They’re out because when it snows, you need bread and milk. Not sure why, but you need bread and milk.

Description : If God made man in his own image why does Judaism (and no doubt other religions) insist on circumcision as a religous practice? Do they believe man has to improve on God's design?

Last Answer : God suggested it, as a sign of the Covenant. You could look it up.

Description : Why do dogs insist on sleeping as close to you as they can?

Last Answer : Does it get cold at night? Small short haired breeds may seek warmth. My Dalmatian will sleep on my foot if I am working. I think they just don’t want to miss out on any possible attention or movement by their “person.” Also coming into play might be the role of protector many dogs take on.

Description : It's 3am and you hear noise in the other room. It's your spouse. What are they doing?

Last Answer : Smoking weed probably

Description : How do I stop people from asking personal questions I don't want to answer?

Last Answer : Just be general. and quickly turn around and ask THEM a question. “East of here, Where are you from?” ” I do office work. What field are you in? ” People (besides you ) love to talk about themselves.

Description : Why do some people insist that hot food is healthier than cold food?

Last Answer : Making hot food kills of a lot of the bacteria and viruses.

Description : Why do some people always insist there was a second shooter, and that second shooter represented the government?

Last Answer : The implication is that The Government™ staged this incident to manufacture a pretense to push through gun regulations (even though the Dotard Orangutan is in charge now). It furthers the narrative ... following this incident even more. Btw, they pushed similar shit after the Sandy Hook incident.

Description : Why do people insist Charles Manson killed people?

Last Answer : answer: Charles Milles Manson is an American criminal and musician who led what became known as the Manson Family, a quasi-commune that arose in the California desert in the late 1960s. In 1971 ... His death sentence, later commuted to life imprisonment, was not handed down in a capricious manner.

Description : Why do people seem to insist on using PDF to scan and sent documents?

Last Answer : Ever since PDF became open source, everybody has a button “save to pdf”, and probably alot of document scanners save as pdf default. also, PDF files can save multiple pages, whereas jpeg cannot

Description : Why do people insist that at a certain age things are expected when we all grow at our own pace?

Last Answer : answer:It's not exactly a hard fast rule, it's more like guidelines, and cultural norms. In my family my parents never would have let me live with them for years after high school ... kiss, first date, get married, have children. Again, those are partly biological readiness and cultural norms.

Description : Why do people insist on giving their kids unusual or mis-spelled names?

Last Answer : Shallow, empty headed cretins who selfishly put their own desires above their, kids.

Description : Why do people insist on blaming prices / fast food / whatever for "making" people fat?

Last Answer : Because they don’t have the courage to blame themselves.

Description : Why do people insist on writing/using "Kosher" salt?

Last Answer : Larger crystals give a different texture and less concentrated salt flavor; better for some things.

Description : Why do some people insist that we should all love each other?

Last Answer : I’m not sure they mean it in the literal sense, but more that all of mankind should try more to love each other in the general sense – show more empathy, understanding and consideration for others. Be civil.

Description : Can you fathom why some people hear a rumor and immediately pass it on as a fact without doing any double checking?

Last Answer : answer:LOL! The thread is going “Oh! I didn’t hear that! That is really sad.” Me: “It’s a hoax.” Next person “Oh! I hope it is a hoax.” Me: “It is (posted link.)”

Description : Don't you think that finding it yourself is better than asking others?

Last Answer : How can we truly come to know truths without seeking knowledge and perspective from others? If we do not do that, we cannot grow in mind and spirit.

Description : Does your place of business insist you get vaccinated?

Last Answer : I work for the government. They’re quite liberal.

Description : Have you ever had someone insist that you will like something, as though you have no choice?

Last Answer : I wouldn't say they were controlling but I encountered a couple of Queen fans who insisted I didn't listen to enough of their music to really appreciate them. I've listened to their music my entire ... band to listen to. This was after I mentioned I had no desire to see the film Bohemian Rhapsody.

Description : Why do different government entities insist that you provide physical proof of something, instead of just checking their collective data base?

Last Answer : To keep people from stealing other people’s identity so easily. Edited to add: plus it might teach her to not misplace important documents.

Description : Why would a restaurant insist a Groupon is only for eating at the restaurant, not takeout?

Last Answer : Because they’re counting on you ordering more.

Description : Should I insist that Best Buy replace my brand new laptop?

Last Answer : answer:Same thing will happen on the new one. I doubt they'll take it back. You could have them clean it' - get rid of everything but the OS and also clear all viruses, but they'll want $115 for the ... system from the rescue disks. But that's sort of a pain, and you need to know what you're doing.

Description : If and when you get to a point in life where you can no longer drive, would you be willing to leave your home for an assisted living situation, or would you insist on staying home and burdening others with helping you out?

Last Answer : answer:If the wording of this question isn't biased, I don't know what is. I don't think it matters what you or I think about it. It's their life and they shouldn't have to go live in ... person's vision is their biggest problem, I don't think sticking them in a facility is necessarily a good idea.

Description : How much should you weight up the other parent's mental health and insist visits be limited or postponed, for the welfare of the child?

Last Answer : That does not sound healthy, or safe. If it were my choice he’d never get anywhere near your son. I’d even be nervous with supervised visits.

Description : Why would a teacher insist on a hand-written note from a parent, as opposed to an email?

Last Answer : I suppose she thinks your child is a genius & therefore can hack your email and type in full complete sentences at a level to make it appear as if she is an adult so because she doesn’t trust that it’s really you as opposed to your genius child she wants to get the handwriting analyzed.

Description : Why does iTunes insist that there is not enough space on my phone when there is?

Last Answer : answer:The songs may only be 4.55 GB, but what else is being synced? Maybe it’s overhead, more likely other non-song data that it thinks needs syncing. BTW, is it the Windows version of iTunes, or are you on a Mac? The Windows version isn’t exactly reliable, so that might also be it.

Description : Why do young guys on motorcycles insist on going over 100 mph?

Last Answer : I don't ride (yet) but I have a few friends that do (most of them women), so first of all I resent your bias in this question - women also have the occasional need for speed as it turns ... is somehow involved here, but I am not schooled in such matters, so I will get back to doing other things.

Description : Why do some parents insist on keeping their children in bubbles?

Last Answer : Because of their own beliefs. I think that children need to experience the world as it is and to be aware that bad things happen, but need to be protected and to fell loved, because that experience of innocence will not last as it is.

Description : Why would a fit person insist on getting a close parking space at the gym?

Last Answer : I have wondered this myself. I have seen big muscular guys park in the fire zone in front of the building and go workout. I park in the last row and think of my walk to the door is part of my workout.

Description : In a store, if you were paying cash for something and the store clerk were charging you sales tax, would you insist on getting a receipt, or would it not matter to you?

Last Answer : answer:It’s not my job to make sure businesses pay tax. What am I going to do with a receipt? Send it to the state to make sure they received the tax on my item? Unless you itemize sales tax on your income tax return, I don’t think it’s going to help you any. Maybe you just got burned.