So I read something somewhere that "Are you having a good day?" or "How's your day going?" are not good questions to ask people. It's basically demanding a smile and a "fine." It's not a real and sincere question.
So I want to think of new "good morning" questions. Here are two. Can you add some more?
Hey - so tell me about something funny that happened today or yesterday.
(see how that shows that I really want an answer?)
Morning. So what fictional character is your life most like today?
(I had to struggle to find that. It might be lame. Tell me if it is. I'll believe you if I feel like it.)
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11 comments
Feel free to reply to any comment by clicking the "Reply" button.The Chinese have this figured ... there are two questions, depending on what you're looking for ... "Ni hao" is a How're you doing as a greeting demanding a polite, positive response. "Ni hao ma" is genuinely asking how you really are and the response could be anything from "Very well," to "terrible, my bunyons are giving me hell, my wife just left me and I hate my job."
committolife
Level 4
June 11, 2018
1
Brilliant!
Oh awful. I just blocked someone because he PMd me "So do you like living where you do, or do you YEARN for somewhere else". I yearn for a place where numpties don't ask questions like this.
GoldenDoll
Level 7
June 9, 2018
1
I'm one of those people who don't want any conversation during the morning hours. So if you try to engage me in anything deep you will get grunts, one syllable answers, and "I dunnos" until you get the hint to go strike up a chat elsewhere. Or throat punched, depending on how perky and hyper you might be, and how close to me you stand.
exilesky
Level 7
June 8, 2018
1
Ih I’d def learn not to stand too close. I’m that person whose cheeriness, especially in the morning, tends to annoy people. But I do tone it down if necessary. I also make some of the most curmudgeonly Scandinavian old timers you ever could meet smile, and sometimes even laugh, despite their best efforts.
I agree that the first one is a loaded question. But 'How's your day going,' is open-ended enough in my opinion.
memorylikeasieve
Level 7
June 8, 2018
2
My stock answer to "how are you?" is "not bad, and yourself?". In typically Australian style, "not bad" ranges from ebullient to sick and miserable.
My suggested answer to your question is "how did you sleep last night?". I find sleep is a topic that engages people.
Palindromeman
Level 7
June 8, 2018
2
That's awesome. Actually I have this new sleep app and I've been talking about sleep nonstop lately! Also, Australia sounds vaguely like Minnesota with "Aw, not too bad" being the general answer. "And you?" optional. Or "Can't complain," usually followed by a bunch of complaining! But good natured!
@Jenmcjen Then we are well met; a lot of similarity there!
@Palindromeman Well Met- Stephen King uses that. I think it’s classy.
@Jenmcjen You must be a fan of the Gunslinger novels. It's a phrase I use a lot.
@Palindromeman omg omg!!! As in I have been reading the whole series nearly annually since the last one was published. Not keyhole, but I did add that to the rotation but way back when the 7th one was done. Thankee sai for making my day!
@Jenmcjen OMG! Another true fan. I would love to have a billy-bumbler. Separately, I was vastly amused that Peter Jackson extracted three films out of The Hobbit, yet the film version of The Dark Tower ran for only 90 minutes and really, honestly, had little to do with books.
@Palindromeman Oy and Sidney Carton - the greatest unsung heroes of literature!!
@Jenmcjen Absolutely copy that.
I love this one: So what fictional character is your life most like today?
I usually ask people, "How are you today?" It seems to invite details.
pixiedust
Level 8
June 8, 2018
2
It does, but it has two drawbacks. One, I think, well depending on the person, but people are I believe usually (is that enough equivocations yet?) feel pressured to say a good thing. And then, just in case, you can't ask this unless you are willing to sit down and listen to the bad thing. Which I am with most people, and most people don't go there. But it's good. I don't ask it of people who I last knew were in dire straits - sick, lost a job, etc - because when I'm that way, I feel pressured to be "better" each time. I suppose various greetings are good for various situations. Also, I'm the super odd as mother fucker who says dumb shit like the character thing, because I'm weird like that. Just ask my friends!
It's lame. But keep thinking.
What's wrong with "What's up?"
nicknotes
Level 8
June 8, 2018
2
Aw, fuck you! Oops, sorry, knee jerk reaction. It is lame. So I have been thinking about your "what's up?" and as simple as it is, that is actually perfect. Because the person you say it to has no pressure whatsoever. But they do have an invitation. If they want to interpret it as, tell me what's going on in your life, and they want to tell you, they can. If they want to acknowledge you but not really talk, they can just say what's up back? or anything in between! I like making this difficult haha but your simple idea is my fave.
How about a plain "Good Morning" with a huge smile on your face ? Does wonders !
VAL3941
Level 8
June 8, 2018
6
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