LJ Idol Topic 1: Empty Gestures
Hi, how are you?
No, really. How are you?
Don't say, "Fine." Don't say, "Good." Don't deflect the question back at me before you've even really thought about what it meant.
I know better.
I know that you've had the ups and downs in your day that I have. I can guess from your stained shirt that lunch didn't go as planned, and I can guess from your crying baby that you probably didn't get much rest last night. I can infer that the exhaustion in your eyes isn't anywhere near as insincere as your smile, hastily plastered on your face.
Reflecting on my encounters with strangers, wherever they may have occurred, the only phrase that jumps out at me is, "Hi. How are you?" And, without fail, my mind is quick with the accepted response. "I'm good, how are you?"
But sometimes I'm not good. Sometimes you're asking me how I am when I'm sick as a dog, struggling to ambulate. Sometimes you're asking me right after the passing of a loved one, when I'm shopping for funeral attire. Sometimes you're asking me after an argument with my husband that's left me wondering how our future's going to be. Sometimes I just feel bad.
Knowing myself, though, I will always say the same thing: "I'm good." And you probably will, too.
This message brought to you by me, but prompted by therealljidol.
No, really. How are you?
Don't say, "Fine." Don't say, "Good." Don't deflect the question back at me before you've even really thought about what it meant.
I know better.
I know that you've had the ups and downs in your day that I have. I can guess from your stained shirt that lunch didn't go as planned, and I can guess from your crying baby that you probably didn't get much rest last night. I can infer that the exhaustion in your eyes isn't anywhere near as insincere as your smile, hastily plastered on your face.
Reflecting on my encounters with strangers, wherever they may have occurred, the only phrase that jumps out at me is, "Hi. How are you?" And, without fail, my mind is quick with the accepted response. "I'm good, how are you?"
But sometimes I'm not good. Sometimes you're asking me how I am when I'm sick as a dog, struggling to ambulate. Sometimes you're asking me right after the passing of a loved one, when I'm shopping for funeral attire. Sometimes you're asking me after an argument with my husband that's left me wondering how our future's going to be. Sometimes I just feel bad.
Knowing myself, though, I will always say the same thing: "I'm good." And you probably will, too.
This message brought to you by me, but prompted by therealljidol.