It’s the same with “how are you”? and the expectant answer always being “Good”. It’s rare that someone is genuinely interested, it’s just the social norm. (FWIW, I’m always down to listen until you use me as a trauma dump and ignore me when I need an ear grumble grumble about askholes)
Comment on Discussion Thread 👩💻 Tuesday 15 July 2025
just_kitten@aussie.zone 1 day ago
Bleah, back to being cranky pants again today. Feeling bristly when people ask the prerequisite “what did you get up to on the weekend” and I don’t have anything exciting to say like a fishing trip or running a marathon or whatever so they tune out anyway. I know it’s a nicety but like I wish they round just skip the question, neither of us enjoy it at this point. And I don’t actually want to hear about what most of my colleagues have gotten up to because it’s not in my wheelhouse anyway and i can only feign interest for so long.
Ordinarily I’d just bury myself in work but we’ve run out of stuff to do and the only stuff left is some very very tedious document updating which I’ve already spent a lot of time on and I’m dying of boredom send help. Almost tempted to start chucking sickies…
SpinMeAround@aussie.zone 1 day ago
CEOofmyhouse56@aussie.zone 1 day ago
The crossing lady near my house as a teen.
Her: Good morning. How are you?
Me: Good thanks. Yourself?
Her: Not good. Last night…
Me: FUCK
Mum wanted to know why I was going to school so early. “To avoid her”.
MeanElevator@aussie.zone 1 day ago
Worked in a grocery store during HS and uni. Always was friendly with customers, but at times (especially the elderly) would chew your ear off.
Now I understand they just wanted human contact and conversation but my stoned teenage brain did not.
One chap sticks out in my mind…I was loading up the grape display and bloke comes over and starts off “Can’t enjoy grapes anymore since my wife died a few years ago…”
How the fuck does one respond to that!!!
RustyRaven@aussie.zone 1 day ago
Start by checking whether he is talking about actual grapes or the modern internet code-usage of grapes. Once he figures out what you are suggesting he could have been confessing to he will probably never want to speak to you again, and you can avoid getting into trouble by pretending to be traumatised by what you thought he was saying. #unethicallifeprotips
just_kitten@aussie.zone 1 day ago
It totally is just a transactional thing, I can handle a “how are you” most of the time as it’s just an extension of “hi” (although yes, harder to lie through your teeth when you’re really not feeling it) but the whole weekend thing is just way too long for my liking especially when I simply can’t match the mood of the other person.
There are some people I will always have time for re: a genuine response to how are you etc, but because of experiences like the ones you have also had, I am very selective. I think I’ve gotten better at working out when someone might be a one-directional dumper - esp when interacting with the public during site visits.
anotherspringchicken@aussie.zone 1 day ago
Oh god I hate those conversations. Have taken to saying ‘oh, just relaxing’ or something like that, just to get it over with. Am also mrs crankypants today… maybe it’s the weather
just_kitten@aussie.zone 1 day ago
I am 10000% ready to blame the weather. I really wish I’d timed everything so I could be on leave right now. I think that might legitimately be contributing to the crankiness… resentment… maybe a sickie is in full order for tomorrow to balance the scales since we have SFA to do anyway.
CEOofmyhouse56@aussie.zone 1 day ago
You look them in the eyes and say “self love” then smile and get back to work.
MeanElevator@aussie.zone 1 day ago
Worked with a dude who would always ask ‘Did you have a productive weekend?’
I had soooo many smart arse replies ready but never used them.
In hindsight I should have let it fly.
just_kitten@aussie.zone 1 day ago
Urrrrgh. I think I can handle it when it’s on teams via text but in person it’s hard to give a non committal answer sometimes because that person is then around and you need to interact with them further and they might bring up their productive weekend yet again.
I just had a couple of colleagues very performatively go on a quick run before lunch because that’s now their Thing and they want to get people into it after having announced their running activities this weekend. Like they’re perfectly lovely folks and this place is generally great but I simply do not have the energy to pretend to be interested in any of these today. I had the shortest lunch ever and will be skedaddling as soon as I hit 7.5 hrs before I really do turn into the Grinch.
MeanElevator@aussie.zone 1 day ago
We all have those days. Good on you for recognising when you feel like that.
Force_majeure123@aussie.zone 1 day ago
Hate that too. I’m always answering: nothing too exciting, or something along those lines 😴
Gibsonhasafluffybutt@aussie.zone 1 day ago
I say just starting making up more and more absurd activities.
I assume you never see these people outside of the office anyway.
just_kitten@aussie.zone 1 day ago
Nah I don’t. Maybe I might, sarcasm could be a great way to get them off my back without coming across as unengaged - thanks!
Gibsonhasafluffybutt@aussie.zone 1 day ago
Maybe you suddenly have a step child? Great way to get to leave early!
tone212_@aussie.zone 1 day ago
My last job, mandatory Monday morning in-office meetings when the first 10 minutes was wasted hearing about everyone’s weekends and having to explain what I did for my weekend. It was a horrible way to start each week.
MeanElevator@aussie.zone 1 day ago
Things like that make me understand why people shoot up workplaces.
Not condoning it, but you know…
just_kitten@aussie.zone 1 day ago
Oh god. As if Monday mornings aren’t hard enough