truly answer to "how are you" instead of always saying "fine"

hi how are you?

Hey, it’s like a reflex button.
“How are you?”
“Fine.”
Once in a while, someone asks you…”Really?” and you’re like, “No.”
Hehe.
Not so good.
I want to be able to put it out there you know:
“I AM IN A MAJOR CRISIS!!! MARS HAS JUST EXPLODED!”
A slight exaggeration, but hopefully you catch my gist.
Honesty is the best policy.

I tend to be honest about how I am when people ask. Lately, saying “fine” has been the truthful answer, but people tend to want that answer even if you’re not. It’s because people ask “how are you” out of courtesy instead of a real concern for you. I’m not talking about family and friends – but living in the south, everybody says “hi” and “how ya doin?” and they don’t really want to hear an answer… So how am I now? I’m fine! Honestly!

I felt soo down in the dumps. This guy I love loves this other girl who’s my mate. Sucks don’t it? Anyway my mate (not the one the guy loves) asked me how are you? so I replied: Not that great. She asked me why so I explained. I wittered on about how love sucks and why does this guy like her not me especially when he been dead flirty and how all of a sudden he’s ignoring me. Anyway after about 10 minutes I finished talking and she didn’t say Okay no offence but you just bored me to death, instead she asked me about it and said she’d speak to him for me if I wanted. I just said no thanks but it was great for me to tell her I wasn’t feeling super happy and for her to care. Lauren rocks!

Truly answering this question can be challenging when asked by someone with whom you don’t want to share everything. At those times when things are not so great “I Just Keep On Keeping On” is a great answer because it isn’t really specific, its not telling a mis-truth (why say fine when things are not fine), plus it serves as a self declaration to keep on, how else do you get out of a funk unless you keep on, right?

This one was a waste of time… Usually people ask while I’m passing them and all I have time to say is, “fine” or they wouldn’t here me or they’d think, “ugh, I wish I hadn’t asked!”. Plus, I found that I generally am, just, fine. Most people ask me when I’m running errands or working so I’m not happy or mad or… anything but, fine.

I didn’t think of this one—I just saw it on someone elses list and thought it was a good idea. I’ll answer honestly for now on.

I would answer how I really am, but nobody’s asked me “How are you?” in a week! I’m suprised, because usually people seem to ask it left and right and it’s really annoying.

xkcd has a nice cartoon that’s relevant to this “thing” here.

I don’t think I’ve ever done this and doubt I ever will. I just think that when people ask they really don’t care they’re just making conversation so don’t see the point in answering. But i’ll try!