Beyond Doubtful Reasons

- How are you?
- Fine (Perfect, Good, Extraordinary, etc…).

Well, as innocent as it is, neither inquirer nor responder are truthful. The former usually does not care, while the latter does not want to expose his or her soft inner self by opening up before a stranger, who by default does not give a damn of what you really feel.

On a personal note, I have met two individuals in my life who were exceptions to this rule.

The first one always answered the question straight and truthful, “Mediocre!”
Later, he moved to Midwest and changed his name to “Honest Abe”.

The second one, obviously troubled by the perspective of being involved in the casual lies, would avert his eyes from the oncoming coworkers, while attempting to pass them by in the narrow isle between the laser printer and the coffee machine. Due to the stiff neck problem, his entire body would jerk up, like a stubborn puppy that is dragged away by the annoyed owner.

Next time before you submit to your natural instinct of producing the politically correct version of “Get away, none of your business”; stop and think of this - what if you die the next instant with a casual lie being the last thing you have done in this world?

We probably should ban “How are you?” greeting. To the time we are ready for it.