<p>I have observed that upon hearing the question "How are you?" people will often respond "Fine" despite being on the verge of suicide. What compels them to engage in this act of brash dishonesty? Is it not irrational to perpetrate the spread of false information?</p>
<p>When I say “fine” even though I’m not it’s usually because if I said how I was really doing it would spark the question “Why?” and I would have to explain myself for about 5 minutes because nobody understands how complicated/stressful my life is at the time and I can’t explain it to them unless I am very careful with my words.</p>
<p>Essentially, I say “fine” when I’m not because it’s an easy answer and I won’t have to explain myself. I assume this is the general reason for something like that.</p>
<p>I try to regard my life as a very personal matter and most of the time it is.</p>
<p>When I’m upset it could be over a number of things including: my sister’s health (she’s autistic and sees a bazillion doctors), my dad’s health (he had a heart attack a year and a half ago), financial issues, my family (high school dropouts, druggies, alcoholics, jailbirds, etc.), and a fountain of other things.</p>
<p>Each of these things are very personal and I’d rather just answer fine instead of answering honestly how I am.</p>
<p>^ That’s another reason that I overlooked that I and many others probably resort to the word “fine.”</p>
<p>Like FallenAngel, I usually say that I am fine to get attention off my back. If I answer anything other than fine, well, or whatever with a good connotation, I am simply asked why I am not well or fine, and eventually I end up explaining something to someone who probably doesn’t even care but pretends to care. </p>
<p>Otherwise, I just say fine because I’m trying to get out of the horrible habit of replying with the incorrect response of, “Good.” D:</p>
<p>People would probably refer me to a therapist if I answered honestly, so I just say “fine.” I would love to tell others how downtrodden I feel, but that just doesn’t settle well with others. Besides, every time I come close to honesty, I find that NOBODY CARES. AT ALL. When someone says “how are you?” they’re making small talk, not wondering how you are.</p>
<p>^That’s true ravenclaw. (I’m loving your username. haha)</p>
<p>But… I mean… No one cares and they pretend to care… but they really don’t. They’re just trying to be sociable and not seem like a jerk.</p>
<p>It’s a lot easier than having to explain. And, like ravenclaw said, no one really cares. Lol. They’re just being nice.</p>
<p>Yea basically what ravenclaw said. Nobody gives a ****. We’re all just too egocentric.</p>
<p>There are a couple reasons why I might say that. </p>
<ol>
<li><p>The person is only exchanging pleasantries and doesn’t want to hear about why I feel like ****. </p></li>
<li><p>It is easier (this applies mostly to my mom, but she always knows when something’s up and pushes me anyway)</p></li>
<li><p>I would be embarrassed to have people know how much something mattered to me. Basically, a hit to my manhood.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>I always tell people how I really am. If they don’t care they shouldn’t have asked </p>
<p>-.-</p>
<p>I dunno, it just feels…standard. Someone says “How are you?” and you’re supposed to reply “Good/fine, how are you?” And they say fine thanks.</p>
<p>And my life also kinda sucks and people would probably refer me to a therapist if I told them about all the stuff that’s wrong with my life. lol.</p>
<p>
Yeah, one time I was at the library and this girl was like, “How are you?” drowsily, and I replied, “Somewhat good, well, not really, I have a lot of tests coming up and senior year just started…but mostly fine” and she looked up and gave me an extremely strange look which I’d half-expected-but-slightly-dreaded. Small chat for the sake of being sociable bugs me.</p>
<p>Its not the right time to talk if you aren’t</p>
<p>Depends on the situation, for me.
Sometimes I think that if I say I’m fine, then I will be fine and I simply want to feel fine.
I don’t feel like going into details about why I’m not so good.
At rare occasions, if it’s a person close to me I’m an attention wh*re and I want them to ask more about me… but that’s not common since I’m mostly truthful to my friends.</p>
<p>Sometimes when people ask me what is wrong, I say that I’m fine because the reason why I am upset is because of them.</p>