Yeah a lot of us do it even if we find it awkward, because we feel it's better than seeming cold and smug. It's also kindof an invitation I guess for real talk in case the other party really has something ready to chew on with you.
It reminds me of the Dilbert where he's telling Catbert how he was confronted with passing someone he barely knows for the second time in a hallway, where he already gave the empty "hey how's it going" the first time not long before. Catbert asks what he did, he says he pulled the fire alarm, because he couldn't think of anything else ("I doubt Mrs. Manners will back you up on that one"). I feel that way sometimes too :)
Re:Friends at Work? Not So Much
by throwaway999777 on Saturday September 05, 2015 @03:46AM
(#10174231)
> Yeah a lot of us do it even if we find it awkward, because we feel it's better than seeming cold and smug.
In what universe is a simple greeting cold and smug?
It seems to me a lot of people are turned off by it. I'd rather just say "hi" myself when I've got nothing, but I notice people stop responding at all (won't even say hi back) when I do that.
So, this universe.
Yep. For this reason, my usual response to "how are you" from somebody passing by is "hi".
I think it's probably meant to imply a kind of warmness to the person it is directed to, kind of like, "nice to see you," or "I wish you well."
No one expects it to lead to extended conversation when it is used nonchalantly like this. And you're right, it is frequently encountered in situations where one or both parties are in motion. Often in a form like:
A: Hi
B: Hi, how are you?
or
A:Hi
B:Hi, how are you?
A:Good, thanks!
or
A:Hi
B:Hi, how are you?
A:smile, nod
or
A:Hi
B:Hi, how are you?
A:Good, and you?
B:Good, thanks.
I think this is fairly common in languages, that words are used in a way that from their literal meanings you wouldn't expect. Idioms of course, but I think in other ways as well.