Originally Posted by magexpect
One of my greatest pleasure when flying back to the US, is to be greeted in all restaurants and hotels around the country with genuinely friendly and happy faces, wishing me, albeit superficially, a good morning, how are you today? I am so and so, etc. what may I bring you today?
That is the worst question you can ask me... .
In the 1.5 years I have been studying in the US, I feel as though there is no way you can get even more superficial.
When I first came here I used to respond to the question in great length as we do in Europe, but now a "how are you" is answered with "how are you" and no one even cares.
Now - because of this - EVERY TIME I hear the question I start to churn inside no matter in which country I am, no matter how genuinely they ask the question.
It will take a lifetime for me to get back my sense genuine care that I used to perceive when being asked this questions!
If I ever run a restaurant/Hotel/(or dare I say) Airline, trust me, I will forbid every single employee to ask the "how are you" question, and fine them appropriately if they do use it as a greeting...! Tell me something - what would you say if the customer says "I feel CRAP!" Then you are in trouble...