I ‘m in line at Trader Joe’s, which sells the best, reasonably priced, mostly healthy……well except for their mini mint mouthful ice cream sandwiches, which are in my opinion made by chubby angels and then float down on little fluffy clouds……sorry, I am digressing. So I approach the cash register to see a smiling woman who proceeds to check out my delicious treats. Without lifting her head she says, “Hello. How are you?” I do what most of us do by responding, “Good, and you?” Continuing to scan my items while looking down, she says “Good, Thanks”.
We do this everyday. An automatic response, to a question that has so much meaning. How are you? The truth was that day, I was feeling slightly tired from my hospital vacation. I was a little irritated that someone pulled out in front of me on my way to Trader Joe’s. I wanted to slam the box of ice cream sandwiches made by chubby angels into my face. My elbow was flared up and red, which hurt every time I extended my arm. My Parkinson’s was acting like a Diva and I was having a hard time pushing my cart around the store. I was dreading going home to walk the dog, seeing as I kept yawning and I just wanted to sit on my couch, watching “The Walking Dead” on my DVR. Then to top it off, I really had to pee. But I responded “Great!”
The truth of the matter is, that she did not really want to know how I was at that moment. She could have cared less, but it is an automatic greeting. It is kind of like saying “monkey butt”. Maybe next time, instead of a standardized greeting, we could ask a random question, such as “Do you like peanuts?” or “How many times have you sneezed today?” At least then we won’t get stuck in the monotony of meaningless greetings and we might even learn something new about the person we are communicating with. I am just thinking out loud…..
Hello. Do you believe in unicorns?
My usual response when asked “how are you doing?” Is usually “I give up!”
Ps – my wife has Parkinson’s which is how we found your blog which is truly refreshing.
Happy to hear you enjoy my blog! Great response!
I do believe that might be the correct term, but couldn’t it just be pegasuses? That is quite the conundrum:)
I do see your point. But “pegasuses” doesn’t roll off the tongue as easily. If only the mythical creature Gods could clarify!
Oh I forgot to add ” I do believe in unicorns” They are awesome!
Thank you Michelle! I am glad that you believe in mythical creatures! I wonder sometimes, we call one white winged divine flying horse a “Pegasus” but if there were more than one, would we call it a “Pegasii”?
Oh Ali, you always make me laugh! The way you describe people and their actions is priceless. You always inspire and I tell people that when I tell them about you. Thanks for the laughs.