What is it that causes us to say things we don’t mean? Cultural niceties usually pass my lips without thinking, which is usually not much of a problem. Someone asks how I’m doing, and I reply, “I’m good, thanks. How are you?” It’s just what we say.
Of course I have had moments that I say I’m good when I’m really not. Depending on who’s asking, I might actually say I’m doing terribly. Most of the time though, people don’t really want to know, they are just being polite and saying what is expected. So I give the expected response. It’s the equivalent of exchanging banter about the weather. We’re Canadians and it’s what we do.
How about when you shake someone’s hand. What do you say? Typically I couple a handshake with, “It’s nice to meet you.”
However, it is an awkward moment when you are in the midst of an undesirable introduction, and you utter these words. My brain races. It’s nice to meet you? Why in the world did I say that? It’s not nice to meet you!
I sense a story here…
and me… I’ll be over for coffee at 10 : )