Small Talk
Phrases such as “How are you?” and “Nice to meet you” are phrases used strictly for the sake of being polite rather than literal intent. When these are used in everyday conversation, they are more used as basic conversation starters or even time killers.
When just meeting someone and asking how they are, no one is going to give their true feelings if they’re upset or mad, especially to someone they aren’t familiar with. As “Hi, how are you?” is such a general phrase that is taught to be polite, it has tended to lose it’s meaning. In conversations anyway, people are more inclined to talk about themselves and wanting to share what’s happening in their life, rather than focusing on the other person.
The phrase, “Nice to meet you” is another that has lost most of its meaning as well. When meeting someone, the phrase is going to conclude the conversation whether it was nice to meet the other person or not. It really has no other meaning than just choosing to be nice and make the other person feel good. When making small talk between two people who aren’t close, it’s extremely common to have such surface level conversation and not go too deep into topics or ideas. It can be awkward and such polite phrases keep the conversation going long enough until it breaks off.
This may not always be completely true, however, I’m sure there are some people who say these phrases with confidence, thinking it truly was nice to meet someone or really wondering how the other person is doing. However from experience, I have found myself asking someone how they are without further intent on the subject, and fully filling the silence.
When just meeting someone and asking how they are, no one is going to give their true feelings if they’re upset or mad, especially to someone they aren’t familiar with. As “Hi, how are you?” is such a general phrase that is taught to be polite, it has tended to lose it’s meaning. In conversations anyway, people are more inclined to talk about themselves and wanting to share what’s happening in their life, rather than focusing on the other person.
The phrase, “Nice to meet you” is another that has lost most of its meaning as well. When meeting someone, the phrase is going to conclude the conversation whether it was nice to meet the other person or not. It really has no other meaning than just choosing to be nice and make the other person feel good. When making small talk between two people who aren’t close, it’s extremely common to have such surface level conversation and not go too deep into topics or ideas. It can be awkward and such polite phrases keep the conversation going long enough until it breaks off.
This may not always be completely true, however, I’m sure there are some people who say these phrases with confidence, thinking it truly was nice to meet someone or really wondering how the other person is doing. However from experience, I have found myself asking someone how they are without further intent on the subject, and fully filling the silence.
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ReplyDeleteGood job proving your stance with great examples and also by recognizing the opposing viewpoint at the end. I also find the cartoon that you added funny, too. Good job!!
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