If People ask you quotHOW ARE YOU?quot. do you always say quotIM FINE THANK Uquot even though you are not FINE....

Question

If People ask you quotHOW ARE YOU?quot. do you always say quotIM FINE THANK Uquot even though you are not FINE....
and though you know mere asking isnt something b THANKFUL for it actually made you think quotIM NOT REALLY FINE AFTER ALL!quot?

Answer

Depends who is doing the asking. Some people, close friends, are asking because they want to know. They deserve an answer. It is likely they already know the truth and are asking to give you an opportuinity to talk about it. The same way, if you were to ask a close friend that question, you would hope to get an honest answer.brbrIf quotpeoplequot rather than friends are asking, then it depends on what you hope to accomplish e.g., setting limits or participating in banal but expected social discourse. The latter provides an implicit understanding that future discourse may be rewarding for several rerasons.brbrThere are alternatives....quotgradientsquot....brbrquot Dont ask!quotbrquotYou dont want to knowquotbrquotHangin in therequotbrquotFare to MiddlinquotbrquotCant complainquot Appropriate reply is quotyes you canquotbrquotNot badquot After a pause you can add..quotnot goodquot.brquotNot Badquot brquotStandin TallquotbrquotGreatquot not to be confused with quotOh, just great! with sarcasmbrquotSuper, TerrificquotbrbrIf asked quotHow are you Doingquot IT is appropriate in all situations to say, Im doing everybody I can!quot brbrbrIm sure there are many more ways to handle this situation.brBy the way, I hope you are feeling fine.