On one of the occasions I was in Canada visiting my almost-lifelong friend, Mo, I had a circular badge which said "Don't tell me what kind of a day to have". I found the then habit, for habit it usually was, of telling me to 'have a nice day' very irritating. It's been replaced for the most part in the UK and New Zealand by the question "How are you today" when you arrive at the checkout. I invariably answer "Very well thank you and how are you?" I reckon that I get an answer about once for every ten times I give the reply and ask my question. The checkout operator's question was so automatic she or he completely switched off as soon as it was asked. Frankly I'd rather be offered a simple 'Hi'
All that arose from the saying "Missing you already" that was popular for a while. I thought of it when I saw the photos of David and Molly boarding MV Isle of Lewis for their journey home.
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| That's David in the red fleece. |
Just before they departed we went for a walk in the Lews Castle Grounds and watched the ferry coming across a millpond-like Minch.
Whilst Molly found a stick.
It's nice to be missed!
ReplyDeleteAnd none more than you and John from Lewis!
DeleteAw thank you! x
DeleteMy reply to the "how are you today" question
ReplyDeleteis mostly "Old Tired and Broken"
Which sends those who have been sent to "Greeting Courses" into a state of What do I do now spasms.
Except for one lovely lady whom appropriately replied
"I have a Phone number for you, 0800 WHO CARES"
Which made my day
Sorry about the 'broken' Dad. Old and tired I can do too. I would have to give your lovely lady full marks.
DeleteGreat picture of the "millpond" and of Molly with the stick!
ReplyDeleteIndeed, what's wrong with a friendly "good day", "good morning" or "good afternoon" when greeting customers? Why does it have to be "how are you" when the person asking is so obviously not interested in getting an honest reply?
I speak to my customers on the phone all day, and have known some of them for almost 10 years. When I ask them how they are, it is because I really want to know, and it is amazing what they tell me when they have a bit of time and are in talking mood!
In your case and, indeed, when I used to deal with people and, later in my life, customers I'd known for years, the question is, as you say, meant. It's the forced insincerity of a complete stranger for my welfare that irritates me. I think I might try Dad's reply at the supermarket this morning. I'm just going there now.
DeleteI don't think the "How are you" has spread to anonymous supermarket checkouts here. The "Have a nice day" you might get in some places but not all. At my supermarket I usually shop by scanner and automatic checkout now, so often no need to say anything at all!
ReplyDeleteI'm surprised that your automatic till doesn't greet you. I can't recall if ours do. They do thank you for shopping with the store though so I'm surprised they haven't been programmed to wish one a nice day as well.
DeleteWhen visiting the Bank they always say "sorry to have kept you waiting". That is very nice and polite but yesterday, when I walked into the bank it was totally empty of customers. I walked straight up to the counter and was greeted with "sorry to have kept you waiting." It looks as if they too are programmed on how to greet customers - shame they cannot tell the difference between queues, crowded and empty!! Oh well - such is life.
ReplyDeleteYes it's the unthinkingness of it all which conveys the insincerity.
DeleteAnd what about in-store, pre-order......? I have said, when asked if I wanted to pre-order a book, Oh, when do I have to come back to order it?
ReplyDeleteAre we getting old ?
I'm with you all the way on those two. Most people don't even use a hyphen. 'Instore' really bugs me!
DeleteThere's a song by Greg Brown called "I don't wanna have a nice day." It's pretty funny. I wonder what happened to the response, "your welcome" to thank you? All I hear now is "no worries" or "no problem." I don't know why it bugs me so much, but it does.
ReplyDeleteMolly's stick. You mean, tree! So cute.
I looked it up on YouTube, Lisa. So good! Molly sometimes tries to carry wood that is so large I think she'll topple over. She must have very strong jaw and neck muscles.
Delete