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Old 07-22-2009, 04:57 PM
 
943 posts, read 3,150,788 times
Reputation: 719

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When did the greeting of choice become, "how are you?" I like Hello, Hi, Good Morning, How can I help you?

They really do not want to know how I am. I watched a clerk at the grocery store say in a formal tone to every customer, "how are you? How are you? How are you? How are you? I got tired of hearing it. No one said anything other than fine. So when it was my turn I said, "not so good!" and the man looked at me funny. I went on, "you asked how I was didn't you?" He still looked at me funny. As I left he took care of the next customer and said, "how are you?" !!!!!!
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Old 07-22-2009, 05:02 PM
 
21,898 posts, read 19,046,725 times
Reputation: 18026
i agree, it is dishonest, and a mixed message to ask a question, but not really care about getting an actual answer

for those very reasons you describe, i prefer to say and to hear something like "Good Morning" or "Good Day" or "Hello" "Nice to see you" something that is a courteous greeting and acknowledgment, rather than a non-authentic question that generally receives a non-authentic answer
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Old 07-22-2009, 05:05 PM
 
Location: In my skin
9,230 posts, read 16,498,975 times
Reputation: 9174
Seems kinda trivial to me. It's his job to be polite to the customers. I don't think he really cares what greeting they prefer.
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Old 07-22-2009, 05:07 PM
 
Location: Tucson, AZ
1,389 posts, read 3,520,511 times
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I'm ok with "how are you?"

What really bothers me is being greeted and/or being asked if I need help, by every single damn person in the store.

No, I do not need help - if I did, one of the goons closer to the door would be here with me!
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Old 07-22-2009, 05:11 PM
 
Location: Alaska
5,356 posts, read 18,495,061 times
Reputation: 4071
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chorizo View Post
I'm ok with "how are you?"

What really bothers me is being greeted and/or being asked if I need help, by every single damn person in the store.
Same here. But when you really do need help, isn't it ironic that you can't find anyone to help you.
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Old 07-22-2009, 05:14 PM
 
37,461 posts, read 45,673,199 times
Reputation: 56910
It's just a greeting, really. I don't see the problem with someone just trying to be polite and friendly.
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Old 07-22-2009, 05:18 PM
 
8,411 posts, read 39,181,361 times
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Some stores MAKE the employee say that. And if you do not you can get written up. I am not even kidding. Then the lovely insane companies send in " secret shoppers" to watch employees as well.

I personally never say that as a greeting. It requires a worded response and people do not feel like treating workers of that level like human beings usually.

Why not just be a little socially graceful put a fake smile on your face and say "fabulous"

You may actually feel a little bit better after being nice to someone and squeezing out a smile.
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Old 07-22-2009, 05:18 PM
 
Location: The Mango Tree
2,115 posts, read 5,019,003 times
Reputation: 2655
Big deal.

I think it's funny though to come up with some really outlandish answer whenever someone asks me that question because it completely throws them off when you don't say "fine".
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Old 07-22-2009, 05:19 PM
 
3,089 posts, read 8,492,853 times
Reputation: 2046
That is one thing that annoys the sh*t out of me in this country. The constant "may I help you" in stores and everyones "how are you". If I needed help I would ask and just say hello you don't need to know how I am get out of my business and go F yourself.
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Old 07-22-2009, 05:22 PM
 
37,461 posts, read 45,673,199 times
Reputation: 56910
Quote:
Originally Posted by nitokenshi View Post
That is one thing that annoys the sh*t out of me in this country. The constant "may I help you" in stores and everyones "how are you". If I needed help I would ask and just say hello you don't need to know how I am get out of my business and go F yourself.
Well the stores must just bang the drums and drop confetti when you come in the door.
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