Monday, August 01, 2016

Without wishing to sound like an old person

Young people today, or at least some of them, have the habit of not just saying 'Hi,' but of turning a simple greeting in passing into a question: 'You all right?'

I don't suppose they really want an answer - well, actually, my athlete's foot's flared up again and I've an infection in my eye but at least my cystitis is improving - but I feel obliged to give them one. Not like that, of course. Just a 'yes, fine,' but that necessarily ends with a 'and you, you okay?'

By which time they're several steps passed and have moved on to the next passer-by's state of well-being.

But just saying, 'Hi,' in response seems rude. They're only being polite after all. Or they think they are. What they're actually doing is causing me untold angst and sending me rushing to Miss Manner's Book of Etiquette, which having been written before the days of, 'awright?' is no use whatsoever. 

So I'm turning to you, dear readers of a largely similar age I suspect. What is the correct response? Does one simply disregard the question but smile graciously as I assume the Queen does when she doesn't hear what someone says?

Or does one stop, take the young person by the arm, and ask in the nicest possible way if they could refrain from asking personal questions to women of a certain age brought up to answer when spoken to?

7 comments:

Anne in Oxfordshire said...

I think it is just how they are. I say. . Fine thanks, you alright. and move on. Ok they most probably have moved on too, so haven't heard me. At least they say Hi 😊

Welshcakes Limoncello said...

I think your first suggestion was the best - tell them the truth!

Liz Hinds said...

Yes, Anne, (welcome back)it's nice when young people, especially those you don't know, are polite enough to greet you.

It would put a stop to their random questioning for sure, Pat!

Anonymous said...

'Lo ;-)

Rose said...

People here, too, have gotten in the habit of not only saying "Hi," but "how are you?" I suspect, too, they don't really want to know:) Though maybe if you told them the truth, they'd think twice before asking the next time!

SmitoniusAndSonata said...

The best time to be asked this is when you've got a shattering cough ...

Leslie: said...

I remember the first time someone in London said that to me - a grocery store clerk. I thought maybe I looked "foreign" or "lost" or "sick" and said "Oh yes, I'm fine, thank you." Then I heard it everywhere and realized it was just a way of saying "Hi." So...YOU all right now?" LOL