So, despite the fact that none of us are reading this, my eyes are shut tight and I'm pretty sure I'm asleep and dreaming, here goes tonight's blog....
Dear Planet Earth,
Let's stop asking people "How's it going?" or "What's up?" unless we genuinely want and expect an answer. Note: 'how's it going?' is NOT a stand-in for 'hello'.
This particularly applies to hiking, when you pass a group coming down the trail. Just say hello. Resist the urge to say 'how's it going?' Why? Because it's confusing. By the time the person says, "Good, thanks. How are you?" you're long out of earshot, halfway up the mountain.
My mom says, like all of life's irritations (see: shirt label size conspiracy), this 'how's it going?' thing is a new phenomenon. Her and her friends talk about it. "So, are you supposed to answer or not?" they ask each other.
I tell her, no, you shouldn't answer. Not unless the person pauses and makes eye contact.
But the truth is, nobody should be put in this perplexing situation in the first place.
Just say hello.
Repeat it with me.
Just say hello.
Thanks,
Margaret Kay
CEO of Madgespace
P.S. Brits, you're not off the hook. The same applies to your version of the don't-really-answer-this question — "You alright?"
GOD, that's awful. It took me years to stop answering, "Yeah, why? Do I look sad? Injured? Sickly?"
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