How are YOU!
Scenario One – What Actually Happens
Stranger : How Are YOU!
Me: I’m fine
Stranger: Now about that snake oil that I am going to persuade you to buy…
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Scenario Two – What I Would Like To happen
Stranger : How Are YOU!
Me: You know, I find that question really irritating.
Stranger: Could you tell me why?
Me: Yes, I’ll try to explain. Firstly would I be right in thinking that you are not a doctor?
Stranger No, I am not a doctor.
Me: Right. Now like most people I have a number of real concerns regarding my health. Now why on earth would I want to discuss them with a complete stranger who is not medically qualified?
Stranger: I don’t understand why you are talking like this. Nobody else does.
Me: Oh I know what people usually do. They pretend everything is fine even when it isn’t. I do understand that this is the case.
But what I don’t understand why you imagine that I would feel well-disposed towards you when you have just submitted me to this meaningless charade.
Stranger: I am sorry that you feel like that. (Goes away looking for another mug to try and bamboozle,)