11–20 of 73 posts
I don't care that nobody cares. I care that they pretend that they do. Fake friendliness is annoying, and good service is not formulaic.
A big part of what makes us geeks is caring too much about the wrong things (according to normals anyway).
When I am interacting with someone who is "serving" me in some way and they ask how I am doing... I almost always ask them back. It is quite interesting the different reactions I get. They pretty much have to be pleasant and I think it throws them off when people are pleasant by choice.
this is kind of a jerk thing to do because a server / cashier person basically has to be nice even if they feel crappy so when you ask them "how are you doing" you are forcing them to lie. do you feel better now?
Day. It means "have a good day".
On first pass, I read this and thought he spelled 'bytes' wrong. ^_^
This seems like a very cynical article. On the behalf of everyone in Canada, the UK, and Australia, it's very common for people to reciprocate this sort of courtesy and genuinely mean it. In fact, I'd go as far to say that most people would be downright offended if you didn't reciprocate. Similarly, most people go out of their way to thank transit drivers, and everyone holds doors. Perhaps an American could share som…
[from the article] Does anyone who has ever said “have a good one” actually mean it?
Yep, I do mean it. I'm that sap. I wish you well and still sign all my e-mail "keep safe". I mean that too. The world can be an unforgiving place, no need for me to not help you along.
I return the "how are you?" question with equivalent replies in shops all the time and if recipients were annoyed by it, I don't recall noticing. Being pleasant frequently helps me feel more pleasant. And anyway, I actually do hope they have a great day. I hope everyone has a great day.
I usually "pay it forward" by also trying to be generally positive when interacting with strangers.
I think it's something everyone should do.