How Are You? A Simple Question

Someone asks, “How are you?”

What do you say?

Do you react automatically with: “I’m fine thanks.” “Not so bad.” “Could be better.” “I’m doing well, thank you.”

Vanessa Van Edwards suggests we ‘break the social script’, and try some funny ways to respond. Especially if we want more fun in our social interactions.

Some ideas for responses

• “Better inside than outside.”  (You might say this if you think you don’t look too good!) Or even, “Better outside than inside”.
• “I still haven’t figured that out.”
• “Amazinggggggg.” Or, “I’m g-r-e-a-t”. (It adds a lovely theatrical touch!)
• “I’m 20 but I feel like 70!” “I’m 50 but I feel like 21”.

And instead of asking, “How are you?” back, try something different.

Some ideas for different questions

• “Have you been keeping well?”
• “Have you been well?”
• “How have things been going for you lately?”
• “What have you been up to lately?”

Do you have any favourite questions and/or responses?