Why do people ask?

[Pete]

Why do people ask how you are when they meet you and then back peddle when you tell them you are not good by saying "Sorry I asked"?
If you are not prepared to hear answers positive or negative why ask the question?
I often find myself being polite and saying I am fine when I am not.
What questions do you answer to be polite?
What questions have you answered truthfully and ended up feeling guilty when it is not your fault because they asked the question?:D
Fun or Serious!

[super_fish88]

I do that too, reply "I'm fine" when someone asks me how i am.

I have a friend called Sarah and every time someone asks her if she would like a sweet or a piece of chocolate she just replies, "no thanks, i'm fine"!...Why??? I would never turn down sweets!

At school a teacher once asked this boy "If you're so clever why don't you come out here and take the class?" and he said, "okay" and walked out to the front! I suppose, it wasn't his fault because the teacher did ask him!

I can't think of any more examples now but i'm sure there's loads more!

[ktcute]

I fixed that by getting really depressed, and crying everywhere I went. Everyone was far too terrified to ask me how I was. Well almost everyone ;).

[mad4it]

i suppose it worked ktcute but i don't think i'd enjoy walkin around the place depressed - especially @ a comp coz then altho i wasn't depressed i'd feel crap and swim badly!
super_fish88 - did the boy get busted for just walking out! that is quite a good 1, i don't think anyone in my school would have the guts to say yeah and walk up! lol

i usually just say 'I'm fine' when someone asks, unless it is someone you no really well then i sometimes tell them what's up. but i agree with Pete - why do people ask the question if they aren't prepared for a positive OR negative answer!

[super_fish88]

Originally posted by mad4it
super_fish88 - did the boy get busted for just walking out! that is quite a good 1, i don't think anyone in my school would have the guts to say yeah and walk up! lol

It was so funny! The teacher went bright red coz she didn't expect him to get up, she just told him to, "sit down at once and we'll have a little chat later" lol!

[swimusa]

Pete, are you bored or something? You're really pondering today, more so than normal.

[Pete]

I just found myself answering that I was fine to people when I wasn't and then was truthful and got shot down for it. It just got me thinking; how many others do that. This is Off Topic!

[swimusa]

I always say fine, but in different tones depending on my mood. When they ask "WHat's wrong?" then I unload the dishwasher. I swear, sometimes I have more issues than a subscription to the Economist.