Como esta?

"How are you?"

Every time I get asked that question, I seem to lose the ability to speak.

Actually, I have no idea where to begin. Not even sure if the person is sincere enough to really know how I'm doing. Or maybe it's a form of conversation-starter so that the person on the other side of the conversation can start rambling about his/her great/shitty life.

Like i.e.

X: How are you?

Me: Err..

X: Hope things are great! By the way, I just bought a new car!! And it has a super engine and..

Me: *constantly nodding head to appear attentive to the conversation*

Yeap.

So what about when I'm the one asking the question?

I gotta admit, sometimes when I ask "how are you?" I expect a really brief answer. Like ten words is pushing it. This happens if I'm on my way to do something or go somewhere and I bum into you. Or if we've only known each other through a mutual friend on Facebook where we constantly see each others' faces on tagged photos. Or you're a distant family member.

Then the ideal situation would be:

Me: Hey! How are you?

You: I'm fine thanks! (Even if you're not) And you?

Me: Yeah, I'm doing well! (Even if I'm not) Listen I gotta run. Nice meeting you!

You: Yeah, you take care!

Two sentences each would suffice.


But, if you are a good friend of mine; someone whom I've made a pact to die with together if Armageddon were to hit, or if the Zombie Apocalypse is real after all.. or my blood and flesh, or someone I sleep and wake up looking at.. then I expect more than a "fine". Coz "fine" does not mean a single legit thing in this world. In fact, in most cases where "fine" is used, the person using it is "not fine".

Demo situation.

Me: Hey! How are you?

You: I'm fine, thanks.

Me: (what does she/he mean by that?!)

Not cool. Not ideal.


Ideal situation where I expect to happen without me having to ask "No, really how ARE you?"

Me: Hey! How are you?

You: OMG. We have to sit down and get coffee.

Me: (Liking the intensity of it already) Wow, ok. Something happened?

You: Yea! You know that job I had? I quit. Bla bla bla (continue story)

That, my friend, is a REAL conversation. This applies to online conversations as well. (Not that I'd appreciate it if we were to be face to face and still be talking via our gadgets. No sir.)

So lesson of the day, it is largely important for every single human being no matter what ethnicity, language or the kind of brutal or civilized culture you grow up with to know that it is immensely important to know how to communicate well especially in these two key, most commonly used, conversation starters.

If you ask someone "How are you?" make sure you mean it. And if you're on the other end, having to answer the question.. know your place and answer adequately.

Thank you, class dismiss.

Moving Pictures Silent Films

Moving Pictures Silent Films by Great Lake Swimmers

"Or is this the dream I've been saving? / Oh where the heart beats slower and slower / To almost nothing"