Alternative Social Icebreaker

"zeontestpilot" (zeontestpilot) 02/06/2015 at 08:31 • Filed to: Greetings

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I just had an interesting conversation with a coworker. We started discussing an alternative to "hi, how are you?", or a way to greet someone without inquiring about "what's new", "what's your current status", or a anything that would involve the possibility of a lengthy response. Someone that says "I acknowledge your existence, and that's it." The only thing I can think of is saying "good afternoon/morning", but that's it. Any ideas oppo?

It sounds cold hearted, I know, but I'm really curious.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > zeontestpilot 02/06/2015 at 08:46

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Looking at someone in the eye, and giving a slight smile and nod of the head can do this, but it's probably less polite than actually saying something.

A small compliment might also work, in certain circumstances. "Nice car", for example.

davedave1111 > zeontestpilot 02/06/2015 at 08:48

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'How are you?' isn't actually a question about someone's wellbeing. Anyone rude enough to answer it as if it is probably won't be put off whatever you do.

You could try 'peace be unto you (my son)', but that might seem a tad pretentious unless you're actually Jesus.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > zeontestpilot 02/06/2015 at 08:48

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Gotta admit, it would help break the ice.

zeontestpilot > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 02/06/2015 at 08:51

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I have a sudden urge to go up to people and say "nice X". Nice car, nice wallet, nice hair, etc. To see the reactions, :).

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > zeontestpilot 02/06/2015 at 08:52

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"hail Hydra".

zeontestpilot > davedave1111 02/06/2015 at 08:59

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That's the curious part, "how are you?" is a valid question to inquire about someone's wellbeing, I use it amongst friends with a genuine interest in their response , but I also use it as a generally 'I acknowledge you exist' statement.

I will have to try the peace statement, I'm curious of the response it will get, :).

jariten1781 > zeontestpilot 02/06/2015 at 09:00

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"Hey, good to see you"

Is my goto.

Or, just saying their first name with a shallow nod.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > zeontestpilot 02/06/2015 at 09:06

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Ones to avoid:

Nice ass.

Nice eyebrows.

Nice earlobes.

zeontestpilot > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 02/06/2015 at 09:09

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That is excellent, I love it.

Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig > zeontestpilot 02/06/2015 at 09:09

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"You all right?" It's the British way of asking, "How are you?" but people think you think there's something wrong with them.

ttyymmnn > zeontestpilot 02/06/2015 at 09:10

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"Hello" and a smile still works well. Here in Texas, "Howdy" is a good go-to greeting. Sometimes, just a momentary eye contact and a smile will be returned in the same manner. If I'm walking down the street and happen to make eye contact with a stranger, I will always smile and give a quick nod. I think it's just polite. When I walk my boys to school, I see the same parents every day. And every day I smile and say "Good morning." I'm not expecting conversation. It's just polite to recognize the existence of another human being.

zeontestpilot > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 02/06/2015 at 09:12

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Man, that's how I usually greet my wife after work!

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > zeontestpilot 02/06/2015 at 09:13

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Ones to avoid (with strangers/acquaintances/pretty much everyone but your wife).

zeontestpilot > jariten1781 02/06/2015 at 09:14

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I'm bad with names, good with faces. So i usually dodge the name aspect, :).

zeontestpilot > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 02/06/2015 at 09:23

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I really like the earlobe one. Say it to anyone, and I bet it will cause confusion and most likely a stare. It's just too perfect and random, :)

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > zeontestpilot 02/06/2015 at 09:26

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Yes, if you'd like to be immediately perceived as a somewhat frightening weirdo, that one will work nicely.

Speaking of earlobes... Dude has none. Noticed it in a recent interview.

zeontestpilot > ttyymmnn 02/06/2015 at 09:26

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It is polite. Personally, I think the 'how are you' is the strongest, most personal greeting you can give someone, even if it isn't meant as a question.

In hindsight, it could be how it's said.

ttyymmnn > zeontestpilot 02/06/2015 at 09:35

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It varies with the situation. If I see a good friend, and say "How are you?" I expect an honest answer, if not a complete one. I'm not looking or his medical or family history. If a stranger asks me how I am, I will always reply, "Fine, thanks. Yourself?" Then we go on with our business, if we have any. The smartphone and computer are helping us all to forget common interpersonal skills and communication. I'm finding it increasingly rarer and more difficult to strike up a conversation with a stranger. And that's a shame.

Nibbles > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 02/06/2015 at 09:42

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Hail Hypnotoad

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 02/06/2015 at 09:45

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Why not, all these guys say it:

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > Nibbles 02/06/2015 at 09:46

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What are you talking about - Marvel comics lines are clea ALL GLORY TO HYPNOTOAD

Tohru > davedave1111 02/06/2015 at 10:07

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As a Midwesterner, what do you mean it's rude to answer "How are you?"

MIATAAAA > zeontestpilot 02/06/2015 at 10:08

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I have to do this like 100 times a day. My go-to's are:

"Buddy!"

"Hey buddy!"

"What's up, buddy?!"

"How's it going, buddy?!"

"Hey buddy - how's it going?!"

Using that order depending on how much time I have to say it. (From quick pass-by to watercooler wait).

You're welcome. People like to be buddies.

pdx107 > MIATAAAA 02/06/2015 at 10:37

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You sound like my FedEx driver here at work

pdx107 > Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig 02/06/2015 at 10:37

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My girlfriend does this, took me some getting used to

Captain of the Enterprise > zeontestpilot 02/06/2015 at 13:04

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Galileo Humpkins (aka MC Clap Yo Handz) > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 02/06/2015 at 15:56

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Nice earlobes works for me though, all the time.

davedave1111 > Tohru 02/06/2015 at 17:57

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Is that a MW thing? All I know is Fargo, and my one ex-pat friend who says 'yaaah'.

We have enough trouble here in England explaining to foreigners that 'how d'you do' is not question., and the correct response is repetition.

Tohru > davedave1111 02/06/2015 at 19:27

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I have the following exchange with complete strangers half a dozen times a day :

"How are you?"

"Oh, pretty good. You?"

"Oh, yknow, same old same old."

"Yeah, I hear ya."

zeontestpilot > MIATAAAA 02/06/2015 at 19:35

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I've discovered that saying "hey you, with the face", is a poor way to gain friendships, :).

zeontestpilot > Captain of the Enterprise 02/06/2015 at 19:38

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I couldn't help but notice the lack of white people in that gif. Does that mean I cant say it? :)

Svend > zeontestpilot 02/11/2015 at 09:07

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In the U.K. where I am the go to is 'alright?!' both a question and a statement, if you walk directly at them and slow down which would then lead to 'ye', I'm alright thanks. How are you?', but if you are showing you intend to walk past them and continue at your present walking pace you will get a reply of 'alright?!'. It's like saying 'I'm alright, are you alright' with the 'alright' reply meaning 'I'm alright thanks. Take care'.

It also works with a short nod of the head, to be replied with the same in return.