What better way to start a conversation than “How are you?” Those who are too taciturn might just mutter: “Life is good?” Flood victims ask: “So, how much does your insurance pay?” – and among Instagram-savvy Neos voters, “What are you doing?” might be the answer.
Social networks are often criticized for being antisocial, aggressive or far too loud. But sometimes things can be quiet and almost social, or you can at least come across interesting, if harmless, questions. A German journalist recently made a bold statement on X and wanted to know: “Nobody likes the question: ‘How are you?’ – what would be better?”
This invites you to look for alternative ways to start a conversation. The old-fashioned classic, known from Schnitzler plays: “How are you feeling?” Those who are too taciturn just say: “Live well?” The large Swedish furniture retailer was inventive decades ago and coined the phrase that was later often copied: “Are you still living or are you already living?” In times of increasing postal voting users, one could simply ask: “So, have you voted yet?” Speaking of which, Neos voters who spend a lot of their time on Instagram are best greeted with a squeezed “What are you doing?” , but ideally leave out the “Sepp” in front of it.
In areas affected by flooding, it may be easier to get into conversation with a “So, how much does your insurance pay?” or “Is the mud gone yet?” And in the end there is always the gentle „How you doin‘?“. However, it is only advisable to use it outside of the workplace, offices and any official contacts. It may also only be understood by millennials and fans of Joey Tribbiani.
E-Mails: anna.wallner@diepresse.obfuscationcom
