How Are You? How Are You?

Hey, I just asked you how you were doing. And your answer: "How are you?"

You answered my question with another question, the same question. Did you not hear me, soldier! I said, "How are you?"

Maybe you were about to ask me, just before I asked you. But I asked you first, so now it's time to shift the gears of your brain in a new direction and come up with an acceptable response.

"Good." "Fine." "Beautiful." "Amazing." "Crappy." "Horrible." Any of these would've fit the bill. And, if you wanted to ask me a question, here's one: "How Am I What?" It's a bit sarcastic, but it would do.

Now, by returning my question back over the net to me with the same question, we're caught in an endless volley of "How are you." Way to go, guy! Now, my response can set off the conversation in a thousand different directions. I didn't want that responsibility.

I just wanted to know: "How are you?"