The meaning behind the phrase “How are you?”

By Hailey Crowell

This phrase is often used as a greeting for both acquaintance’s and good friends. A common phrase that is used on a daily basis, but when used, do we really mean it? The phrase has lost its sincerity. At this point in time, it’s just a tag-along to the words “Hi,” “Hey,” or “Hello” when passing by an old friend or someone you just met. A typical conversation with said person would go something like this: “Hey! How are you?” “I’m good, how are you?” “Great, thanks.” And then the conversation either continues in a different direction or most times than not, stops dead right there.

It has become a filler word, or something we string along just for the sake of saying something or pretending to be interested in what the other person has to say. We ask the question without even wanting (and sometimes waiting) to hear the response. Maybe because most of the time the response is predetermined, maybe its been ingrained in our minds to ask out of respect and proper mannerism, or maybe because we genuinely don’t care.

But, let me be clear, I am not saying that all of humanity is doing this because that’s just not true. I am simply expressing to what I have seen to be true, I myself am guilty of this loss in sincerity every once and a while, even though, I’ve always learned that it is polite to ask how another person is doing and genuinely care about other people, and even strangers. So, why do I do it? I don’t know. Maybe its become habit, almost like an innate behavior to ask “how are you?” Sometimes I don’t even answer the question “how are you?” because it just seems like a greeting rather than a question. So maybe that’s the problem. The phrase has turned more into a greeting than a question when before it was used for both equally. I think of it as watching a funny video on any social media platform; after about 3 times through it starts to lose its attraction and emphasis, making it virtually no longer a funny video to watch.

And so, maybe the meaning has lost its sincerity or maybe I’m over-analyzing the whole thing. Either way, I hope this article got you thinking and questioning every day mannerisms and the impact they have. If you have your own thoughts comment on my article below or start your own discussion.

Closing advice:

I always try to see the best in humanity and always give people the benefit of the doubt and I advise everyone to do the same! You have to choose to see the good in the world and then it becomes a much happier place.