Hmm well I don't want to hear what a nightmare my colleagues lives are.
I ask "How was the weekend" you say "Fine". I don't care that your house burned down.
Yep I am a brit!
I ask "How was the weekend" you say "Fine". I don't care that your house burned down.
Yep I am a brit!
If the question is always to be answered with "fine", then is the person you ask ever going to notice if you don't ask it? You don't care about what they feel either way and they know it.
On the flip side being honest doesn't mean having to detail everything good or bad in ones life, but if things really are not fine it means saying so. "I have been better actually, but it's a new week and I'm ready to turn the page."
You might actually learn a thing or two about someone that way!
Mr. A: How was your weekend?
Mr. B: Fine. Bit of trouble with the house, though.
Mr. A: Nothing serious, I hope?
Mr. B: No, not at all. A little fire got out of control for a bit.
Mr. A: Was there much damage?
Mr. B: No, once it got down to the foundations it went right out.
Mr. A: Was anybody hurt?
Mr. B: Not much. Grandma died very gently from the smoke inhalation.
And I lost barely more than my eyebrows and 15% of my skin.
Mr. A: That's lucky.
Mr. B: Quite right. How was yours?
Mr. A: Fine. Bit of trouble with the car....For lots of people the "How are you?" "Fine." exchange is a ritualized interaction which has become detached from the literal meanings of the words. Like the fact that even non-religious people use a contraction of "God Be With Ye" when parting.