I'm not referring to someone you love that is very close to your heart, but people in general. I'll hold my hands up and say I don't ! As an example, I would refer to the outpouring of orchestrated grief when Diana died - which I found to be pathetic and distasteful. I can remember when my then g/f came into the bathroom, as I was shaving, to give me the news of her death I issued a single word reply - GOOD! Imho, she was a slag and an embarrassment to the Royal Family and the UK. That didn't, though, prevent the outpouring of what I call 'faux grief'. The principle, though, is the same in everyday life BUT (to me) there is a big difference between politeness and OTT demonstrations of being seen/wishing to be seen to care.
I get this. I don’t say ‘how are you?’ Or ‘you ok’ to folk I’ve no bond with, I say ‘hi’ or ‘now then’. Always have ha.
In answer to the question, I say it as a nicety and don’t really give it much thought which, I suspect, is the same as most others. Of course when I say it to a close family member then I genuinely do care about their reply. I also get the Diana thing and the outpouring of faux grief that came with it. I’m not an emotional person so wasn’t affected by her death. Being a cop in Northampton at the time I was part of the police contingent that lined the route on the day of her funeral at Althorp. If you go over the footage you might see me, I’m the one wearing the bobby hat. When the cortège went past everyone was in tears and throwing flowers and stuff. I just stood there and probably thought about when I could go home for the day. The next day I was on duty at Althorp House where even more flowers were thrown and more tears were shed. The year after a big operation was put in place as it was felt that everyone would want to pay their respects to the ‘people’s princess’. Once again, I was at Althorp House. Hardly anyone bothered to turn up. She was yesterday’s news. The Royal family are so far removed from my daily life that what they get up to is irrelevant to me. That said, I would never be happy that someone has died or been killed and it’s a little bit crass to admit to being happy (genuine or not) that someone has died in a car crash.
The OP will probably end up being banned on here for a long time, if not for permanently, as he has been on numerous other forums.
If I’m having a chat with somebody I barely know and they tell me of a hard time they’re going through then I would genuinely care about how they’re doing. I think the ‘Good’ comment about Diana dying is really low and uncalled for. The same as your comment about Poland having shower blocks available on another thread.
Carry on posting your cr*p. You know that you're always revealed in the end as the person you really are. I make no such pretence!
Really? Or would it depend upon the name of the deceased? Bin Laden?, Stalin? or Hitler? to give three easy choices/examples.
They’re responsible for the deaths of over 100 million people between them. Not really on the same level as Diana campaigning to get rid of land mines.
Yes, really. I would not wish them dead (even though they already are) but neither would I lose any sleep that they died. How anyone can revel in someone’s death is beyond me.
I ask people how they are, even if I'm not really bothered how they are, because doing that makes the other person feel nice. For the same reason, if someone makes eye contact with me in the street, I always smile at them. None of that costs me anything but I feel it makes the world a nicer place, if only by a very small amount.
I sort of care. Must admit though I do sometimes see people at work who I haven't seen for a while and I'll end up saying "hi, how's things?". I'm not really that arsed and I expect them to say "aye canny, how are you" and I'll say "fine" and that's it done with. I'd be a bit put out if they started saying "well actually I'm not great...". I'd listen to them like, but it's more a general nicety rather than an actual question
But also remember that it wasn’t that long ago that there were more than a few people holding street parties and singing ding dong the wicked witch is dead in response to the death of a former prime minister, which I found equally embarrassing and distasteful. I was never her biggest fan but seeing those ‘celebrations’ left a bit of a bitter taste.
I've been on this forum and the BBC one before for many years, and have to say this is the strangest thread I can remember...but whatever gets you through the day
I think I'd take a bit more notice at the moment if the reply was... Well I've got this cough and isn't it warm today
