Stupid Questions With Obvious Answers In Public Places
On the well-meaning but stupid questions that are automatic, unthinking, muscle memory responses we reply with to strangers in public.
Many, perhaps almost all, are guilty of it. The automatic, unthinking, muscle memory responses we reply with to strangers in public. The rhetorical “how you doing” or an “good morning/good evening” that might or might not be a lie if the speaker knew the circumstances. Which they do not know. Or care to know. Or want to know. Thus, the disarming, non-committal, socially acceptable bare minimum of the currently convenient colloquialism.
To my shame, I realized I am guilty. I confess. I have sinned. Standing in the elevator of a major hospital as people joined on various floors and came and went, I realized I was partaking in the habit of unmeaning words aimed at fending off strangers.
The man made eye contact, you understand, there was no choice at that point.
“How you doing?” Rolled out of my mouth without any assistance from my brain.
He, having no choice now that the gabbing gauntlet had been thrown down, did what must be done.
