I have reached an age or experience level to where I really don't like
the question "How are you?".
I still ask the question. I used to ask it a lot. I was even been made fun of how I use it at
work when I greet people as they come into our workspace. I do it in
a singsong way so that it makes people smile or laugh or grimace,
however they feel at the moment.
But in my personal life I've gotten to a point where I don't like it
at all. The people that ask me how I am really don't seem to care.
If they do care they don't have time to listen to me go on and on
about what I'm bothered by lately. Or if I were to say "happy" they
don't believe me or don't know what to say.
I've actually found several questions in place of how are you that are
much better greetings for people that I haven't seen in a while and
much better checks and expressions of concern for friends or someone
that I am meeting. Those questions include "What's your latest challenge?" and others.
But I tire of being asked my condition when I know that there is no interest in my condition. There is only an interest to appear polite.
