How Are You?

By luigi_pagano

Wed, 30 Dec 2015
  • 1393 reads
6 comments
 

When somebody asks ‘How are you?’
the usual answer should be ‘Very well’,
not ‘I’m suffering from a dose of flu’
or ‘The hot weather makes my feet swell’.

It is a rhetorical question, nothing more;
it does not mean that one wants to hear
that you have the gout and you feel sore
or that your skin irritation will not clear.

Don’t mention that you have rheumatoid
or that your cough gets worse by the day;
they are the topics that you must avoid:
just reassure the interlocutor you’re OK.

Change the subject and talk of the climate,
it is less controversial and more neutral;
few generalisations should be adequate
to make the conversation not so crucial.

© Luigi Pagano 2008

Certificate U
Poem
Are you being versed?
Humour

Comments

Submitted by forest_for_ever on

So true... I can never resist saying "yoou don't really want to know..." and if I am feeling in need of attention I tell them anyway.

I do admire your work and anything that resonates in my mind I usually love.  Thank you for this piece of work.

 

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

And thanks for sharing your thoughts, Graham. Trust that you are well and wish you good health.

Luigi

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

'Not too bad!' 'Coping' 'Ups and Downs' 'Nothing worth discussing now!' 'Lots to be thankful for' 'Been a bit low, but thankfully got over the worst' 'Well, we all have our troubles!' 'Pretty good, thanks!' … … ???! Rhiannnon

 

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

Good to see that you take things in your stride, Rhiannon, but aren't you worried about this ghastly weather?

Best wishes, Luigi x
 

 

Submitted by Bee on

I'm sure they mostly don't want to know, Luigi, but some people genuinely do, and I think you can tell the difference.

I enjoyed your poem. 

How are you, by the way?

Bee

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

If I am concerned about someone, I genuinely want to know how they feel and the state of their health but there are some people who open the floodgates as soon as they hear the question and come up with a litany of ailments they have suffered whether you are interested or not.
Since you asked, I am top of the world.
Thanks for the comment, Bee. With my warmest wishes for your welfare,
Luigi x