Started By
Message

The American custom of asking ‘How are you?’

Posted on 5/9/19 at 9:14 pm
Posted by weagle99
Member since Nov 2011
35893 posts
Posted on 5/9/19 at 9:14 pm
I think Americans are the only ones who regularly ask each other ‘How are you?’ at the start of a conversation. And oddly there is an unspoken understanding that the answer should almost always be ‘Good’ or ‘Fine’.

Any ideas when this ritual started in America? Do other countries think it odd?

Do you ever wonder why we ended up doing things like this in our daily lives? Unwritten social rules

This post was edited on 5/9/19 at 9:21 pm
Posted by Zendog
Santa Barbara
Member since Feb 2019
4463 posts
Posted on 5/9/19 at 9:14 pm to
That question irks me
Posted by OWLFAN86
The OT has made me richer
Member since Jun 2004
175682 posts
Posted on 5/9/19 at 9:14 pm to
Im fine, thanks for asking
Posted by TigerBR1111
Baton Rouge
Member since Sep 2014
6549 posts
Posted on 5/9/19 at 9:16 pm to
It’s better than “You OK?”
Posted by Dandy Lion
Member since Feb 2010
50248 posts
Posted on 5/9/19 at 9:16 pm to
Other countries do it.
Posted by HailHailtoMichigan!
Mission Viejo, CA
Member since Mar 2012
69246 posts
Posted on 5/9/19 at 9:16 pm to
This op is wrong. It is a common phrase in other english speaking nations.
Posted by liz18lsu
Naples, FL
Member since Feb 2009
17297 posts
Posted on 5/9/19 at 9:17 pm to
“How was school?” “Fine”
“How was your day?” “It was ok”


This is much more interpersonal boredom, not at a professional level.
Posted by weagle99
Member since Nov 2011
35893 posts
Posted on 5/9/19 at 9:19 pm to
Fair enough. How did this ritual start? I assume they weren’t doing it centuries ago.

This is something we do and have no idea why other than social momentum.
This post was edited on 5/9/19 at 9:20 pm
Posted by JPinLondon
not in London (currently NW Ohio)
Member since Nov 2006
7855 posts
Posted on 5/9/19 at 9:19 pm to
I give you...

Comment ça va?
Posted by HailHailtoMichigan!
Mission Viejo, CA
Member since Mar 2012
69246 posts
Posted on 5/9/19 at 9:19 pm to
quote:

I assume they weren’t doing it centuries ago.
Why?
Posted by JohnnyKilroy
Cajun Navy Vice Admiral
Member since Oct 2012
35287 posts
Posted on 5/9/19 at 9:20 pm to
Reminds me of a joke:

Two finns walk in to bar and order beers. After getting their drinks, one of the finns turns to the other and says "So how's your family?" The other finn looks at him and says "Are you here to drink, or are you here to talk?"
Posted by rowbear1922
Lake Chuck, LA
Member since Oct 2008
15165 posts
Posted on 5/9/19 at 9:20 pm to
Working in an industry where I pass a lot of people regularly, I don’t like it.

I try to just stick with “Good morning”. No one will say as you across one another, “actually pretty bad.....”. It’s always just good/fine.
Posted by Patrick_Bateman
Member since Jan 2012
17823 posts
Posted on 5/9/19 at 9:23 pm to
quote:

Im fine, thanks for asking

But don't you care how they're doing?!

Just stick with Hello or Good Morning, etc.
Posted by OMLandshark
Member since Apr 2009
108098 posts
Posted on 5/9/19 at 9:25 pm to
quote:

I think Americans are the only ones who regularly ask each other ‘How are you?’ at the start of a conversation.


I lived in China for three years. The initial question is often politely “Ni Hao Ma?” which is “How are you?” No, this isn’t simply American.
Posted by Harry Caray
Denial
Member since Aug 2009
18636 posts
Posted on 5/9/19 at 9:26 pm to
not s'bad
Posted by OMLandshark
Member since Apr 2009
108098 posts
Posted on 5/9/19 at 9:27 pm to
quote:

I assume they weren’t doing it centuries ago.


Why? It’s simply being considerate to the person. I’m sure this wasn’t common with Mongolians and the Assyrians, but I see no reason to think this isn’t common in most civilized societies.
Posted by CelticDog
Member since Apr 2015
42867 posts
Posted on 5/9/19 at 9:27 pm to
Comment ça va aujourd'hui?
Posted by CelticDog
Member since Apr 2015
42867 posts
Posted on 5/9/19 at 9:29 pm to
How's by you? (My people say)
Or just... By you?
Posted by CelticDog
Member since Apr 2015
42867 posts
Posted on 5/9/19 at 9:30 pm to
"Ni hao" in friendly cicumstances.
Posted by OMLandshark
Member since Apr 2009
108098 posts
Posted on 5/9/19 at 9:31 pm to
quote:

"Ni hao" in friendly cicumstances.


Well that’s just “Hello”.
first pageprev pagePage 1 of 4Next pagelast page

Back to top
logoFollow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News
Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to get the latest updates on LSU Football and Recruiting.

FacebookTwitterInstagram