"How are you?" (Cordial Greetings)

[scherbchen]

Today I introduced a friend of mine to another friend of mine (Mexican in the first trimester of pregnancy). The former asked "So, how are you?" to which the latter replied "I feel like sh-t!". Then she ckecked herself and added, appologetically, "That was such a German answer. In Mexico I would have said 'fine', 'great' or something to that effect and we would have moved on."

Nopw most of us know that, when presented with the "How are you" or "How do you do" most Americans will reply "Great! (How are you?) to the first and Brits will cheerfully ask you "How do you do?" in response to the second "question". In Germany it is perfectly normal to go on a tirade for 3-5 minutes about the kind of day you had (or just give them a look that says "You do NOT want to know" and not even utter a word) to which the asking party will provide sounds of empathy and/or bellowing laughs (Schadenfreude, a "sucks to be you" with a derisive snarl is perfectly acceptable when a stranger pours his/her heart out).

So my question, at last, is this: are there any other nations out there that treat the introductory "How are you" as an honest to God question and will answer it truthfully?

PS: How are you?

 

[Catharsis]

I'm British and I've always treated 'How are you' as a legitimate question. Granted, my answer is always 'Fine', but that's because I have nothing better to say.

PS: How are you?

Fine.

 

[warpus]

Depends on the circumstances
"How's it going?" or "What's up?" is the more common variant here, though.

You can answer it with another standard greeting or jump straight into conversation.. whatever.. depends on the circumstances.

 

[skadistic]

I like when some one asks that and when you really tell them you can see the look on their face change and almost hear their inner voice asking them self why they asked because they don't really don't care.

 

[scherbchen]

Fine.

I see what you did there!

So you are telling me you are allways fine? I have my doubts I must say...

 

[scherbchen]

I like when some one asks that and when you really tell them you can see the look on their face change and almost hear their inner voice asking them self why they asked because they don't really don't care.

I'll take that as a vote for "Germans are weird"

 

[Elta]

In Vegas we always say how we really feel

Right now I am alright, kinda *worried, but alright

*Midterms are coming up

 

[scherbchen]

Depends on the circumstances
"How's it going?" or "What's up?" is the more common variant here, though.

You can answer it with another standard greeting or jump straight into conversation.. whatever.. depends on the circumstances.

Oh we do not really use the German version of "How are you?" We'd say "Und?" or "Wie isses?" or "Alles klar?" Especially if you are meeting in a relaxed environment. But as you say, you'd reply with a standard greeting or jump into conversation right away, you would not actually and truthfully answer the question. Which, apparently, is something we Germans do.

Maybe that is one of the reasons foreigners consider us to be goofballs

 

[Catharsis]

I see what you did there!

So you are telling me you are allways fine? I have my doubts I must say...

Oh, of course not. But 'Fine' delivers a sort of non-committal politeness that you just don't get from 'Hungry' or 'Spooked' or 'Incredulous'.

 

[Swedishguy]

In Sweden we always say "good". No matter how our feelings are.

 

[scherbchen]

Oh, of course not. But 'Fine' delivers a sort of non-committal politeness that you just don't get from 'Hungry' or 'Spooked' or 'Incredulous'.

Aha! But that is precisely the point. Germans do not reply politely to a question like that. They will tell you how they hurt their shin in the morning, that annoying cab driver and waiter they suffered, their headache and that they had the runs for 4 days now. Our polite reply is to tell you about the ghastly day we have had and to amuse you by it or to garner some sympathy.

I would actually go so far (and I might be stretching things here) and say that if a German went to another German and asked him how he was and the reply would be "oh just dandy, thank you very much" we would think he was weird, an arse or take a quick look around and check if we were in a business meeting. "Fine" might actually be the best response if you are having a good day, come to think of it.

 

[scherbchen]

In Sweden we always say "good". No matter how our feelings are.

The plot thickens!

Dun dun DUN!

 

[Thorbal]

I would actually go so far (and I might be stretching things here) and say that if a German went to another German and asked him how he was and the reply would be "oh just dandy, thank you very much" we would think he was weird, an arse or take a quick look around and check if we were in a business meeting. "Fine" might actually be the best response if you are having a good day, come to think of it.

Agreed! When people say that they´re feeling "great" or anything like that, I get really irritated/confused most of the time. It´s like that feeling you get when your car suddenly turns into a pink elephant and nobody except you seems to notice.

 

[Brighteye]

I would try to say well, rather than good.
But usually I find a suitable laconic answer before repeating the question. So 'tired' or 'bored' or 'hot' all sum up my state of being, but I don't delve into any more detail.

 

[Agarwaen]

Depends on how close is the other person to me. To an stranger I would say simply "Good, and you?", but to a relative or a close friend a would tell the truth.

 

[jeps]

How are you?
Fine. Good. Really Good.

these are the generic answers. they are automatic, really.

i only HONESTLY answer to a few people, because most people don't really care. i will tell the people i care the true answer, but the automatic system leaves me constantly saying things to them like this:

"how are you"
"i'm good thanks. i feel like ccrap really. i was up all night feeling sick, and now its just worse. what about you?"

or something like that

 

[Godwynn]

Wie gehts?

 

[Shirastro]

In Serbia we don't ask "how are you" but "whats up"

 

[dannyshenanigan]

I don't like when people reply "good" when they should say "well."

 

[gangleri2001]

The most cordial greeting ever is "How are you gentlemen? All your base are belong to us!"