So, ‘How are you?’ It’s a question, right? A seemingly innocent question. But is it really? Is it? Because you can’t actually say how you are! You can’t! You’re obligated to say ‘Good!’ or ‘Fine!’ Even if you’re having the worst day of your life, even if your car just got towed, your cat ran away, and you just spilled coffee all over your white shirt. ‘How are you?’ ‘Oh, just wonderful, thanks for asking! My life is a smoldering ruin, but good, yes, good!’ What are we doing here? Are we exchanging information, or are we just performing a social ritual? Because if it’s a ritual, let’s just skip the words and nod. Or maybe grunt. A good, hearty grunt. At least that would be honest.
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