# How do you respond to the greeting: "How ya doin'"? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [December 12, 1999, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-respond-to-the-greeting-how-ya-doin/12060 "1999-12-12T03:22:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Sycorax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a4c791/32.png) [@Sycorax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sycorax)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 1999, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-respond-to-the-greeting-how-ya-doin/12060/1 "1999-12-12T03:22:00Z")
This phrase - “how ya doin’” is very common and I’m not sure how to reply to it. A few folks at work pass me in the hall and say it; I usually say “oh, okay, how you?” They say “okay” or “fine.” But I’m thinking that it’s meant only as a greeting and not literally. Respond in kind? Miss Manners once wrote that with formal introductions, when one person says “How do you do,” it is not meant literally, and that you should respond the same. But “how ya doin’” is so casual,and uttered by acquaintances, that it strikes me as in need of a more meaninful response. This really started bugging me when an employee in my building whom I didn’t know passed me in the hall and said it as she went by. It threw me because I didn’t know her, and I glanced back as she kept walking. I muttered “hi.” Later I thought that in that situation,it really was just a friendly way of saying hi, and it would’ve been better to say “how ya doin’” back. I was in the grocery store with my s.o. and when we walked up to the cashier at the checkout, he said it and she said it almost at the same time. It seemed kind of awkward to me. I get it from store cashiers a lot. I thought maybe I should just start saying it first and let the other person worry about how to respond. It may seem trivial, but I don’t want to appear rude or socially inept, and that’s how I feel sometimes when greeted this way. Why the hell can’t they just say “hi” and be done with it. Do you use this greeting and if so, what kind of response do you expect? ---
**Author:** ![BoBettie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4af34b/32.png) [@BoBettie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BoBettie)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 1999, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-respond-to-the-greeting-how-ya-doin/12060/2 "1999-12-12T03:32:00Z")
I have two answers that I give. I can’t take credit for coming up with the first, but I can’t recall where I saw it. They say: How ya’ doing’? I say: If I were any better, I’d be twins! They say: How ya’ doing’? I say: Great, you? Keep it simple. No one wants to hear a list of health or personal problems, it’s just a little way of saying “hello”. ## I don’t personally use this, because too frequently the person will stop and actually TELL you how their doing. Yuk. Instead, I say “Hi!”. That’s it! Zette Love is like popsicles…you get too much you get to high. Not enough and you’re gonna die… [Click here for some GOOD news for a change](http://www.binghamtonpress.com/binghamtonnews/local/Sanews5.html)[Zettecity](http://www.angelfire.com/ny3/zettecity/index.html) ---
**Author:** ![Daniel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Daniel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Daniel)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 1999, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-respond-to-the-greeting-how-ya-doin/12060/3 "1999-12-12T03:33:00Z")
I usually say “fine” on ordinary days. “Great” if I’m in a good mood. I’m feeling horrible or depressed, or in any mood that would cause friends to become concerned at the answer to the question, I usually just ignore it and hand the cashier my money. ---
**Author:** ![Daniel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Daniel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Daniel)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 1999, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-respond-to-the-greeting-how-ya-doin/12060/4 "1999-12-12T03:35:00Z")
Two almost simultaneous replies, both from Binghamton! How about that! Time to head back to the “fairly interesting” thread! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Sylence](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b19c9b/32.png) [@Sylence](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sylence)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 1999, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-respond-to-the-greeting-how-ya-doin/12060/5 "1999-12-12T03:38:00Z")
Just fine, and you? – Sylence * * * I don’t have an evil side. Just a really, really apathetic one. ---
**Author:** ![Jois](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ea666f/32.png) [@Jois](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jois)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 1999, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-respond-to-the-greeting-how-ya-doin/12060/6 "1999-12-12T03:39:00Z")
It’s really less formal than you think, and needs, I often just smile back or nod, maybe if I know the person I tap their arm. It’s just a wkkp walking, keep talking kind of thing. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 1999, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-respond-to-the-greeting-how-ya-doin/12060/7 "1999-12-12T04:39:00Z")
I say “I’m average.” which often gets a smile. 🙂 * * * -PIGEONMAN- Hero For A New Millennium! [The Legend Of PigeonMan](http://www.hotkey.net.au/~guanolad/pigeonman/) - updates every Wed & Sat. If I can be bothered. ---
**Author:** ![Sycorax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a4c791/32.png) [@Sycorax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sycorax)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 1999, 5:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-respond-to-the-greeting-how-ya-doin/12060/8 "1999-12-12T05:01:00Z")
Oh I’m sure you’re above-average, Guanolad. ---
**Author:** ![Enright3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/enright3/32/2897_2.png) [@Enright3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enright3)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 1999, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-respond-to-the-greeting-how-ya-doin/12060/9 "1999-12-12T05:03:00Z")
Sometimes I’ll give it a “I’m so happy, I have to sit on my hands to keep from clapping”. Other times it’s the ‘silent hello’, where you look 'em in the eye and give that nod that says “You know how I’m doing”. ---
**Author:** ![Triskadecamus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b19c9b/32.png) [@Triskadecamus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Triskadecamus)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 1999, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-respond-to-the-greeting-how-ya-doin/12060/10 "1999-12-12T05:23:00Z")
For the first half of my day, I say, “It’s too early to tell.” After that, I usually say “Groovy.” No, really. I do. I’m not even being sarcastic. Well, sometimes I am being sarcastic, but mostly, I really mean it. ## **\

Tris\** Isn’t it interesting that the same people who laugh at science fiction listen to weather forecasts and economists? –Kelvin Throop, III ---

**Author:** ![JBENZ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b77776/32.png) [@JBENZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JBENZ)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 1999, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-respond-to-the-greeting-how-ya-doin/12060/11 "1999-12-12T05:28:00Z")
Monday through Thursday: “I dunno…is it Friday yet?” Friday: “It’s a good thing it’s Friday” Saturday & Sunday: “Get away from me or I’ll sic the dogs on ya!” * * * JB Lex Non Favet Delicatorum Votis ---
**Author:** ![Minxsmom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d07c76/32.png) [@Minxsmom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Minxsmom)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 1999, 6:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-respond-to-the-greeting-how-ya-doin/12060/12 "1999-12-12T06:30:00Z")
Usually I just say something like “Well, I’m here. And, I think I’m alive. How are you?” or if it’s really early I’ll just say “I don’t know, I haven’t opened my eyes yet. Do my socks match?” ---
**Author:** ![Wicked\_Blue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/2acd7d/32.png) [@Wicked\_Blue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wicked_Blue)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 1999, 7:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-respond-to-the-greeting-how-ya-doin/12060/13 "1999-12-12T07:29:00Z")
Super! Thanks for asking! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![CanadianSue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/71e660/32.png) [@CanadianSue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CanadianSue)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 1999, 7:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-respond-to-the-greeting-how-ya-doin/12060/14 "1999-12-12T07:36:00Z")
doin great here * * * I opened the door, and look who I found. Damn I’m good ---
**Author:** ![Chrome\_Toaster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ebca7d/32.png) [@Chrome\_Toaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chrome_Toaster)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 1999, 8:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-respond-to-the-greeting-how-ya-doin/12060/15 "1999-12-12T08:01:00Z")
I have a pulse. I must be ok. CT ---
**Author:** ![funneefarmer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/9fc348/32.png) [@funneefarmer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/funneefarmer)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 1999, 10:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-respond-to-the-greeting-how-ya-doin/12060/16 "1999-12-12T10:57:00Z")
If I know you well I’ll say “Well, I’m still alive…” If I don’t, it’s either “fair to midlin’, and yourself ?” or “fine and you ?” ---
**Author:** ![Jvanhorn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d2c977/32.png) [@Jvanhorn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jvanhorn)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 1999, 11:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-respond-to-the-greeting-how-ya-doin/12060/17 "1999-12-12T11:42:00Z")
A pretty neat response I learned from my father is “About the same” Leaves them thinking “About the same as what?” ---
**Author:** ![Sealemon88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c68b51/32.png) [@Sealemon88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sealemon88)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 1999, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-respond-to-the-greeting-how-ya-doin/12060/18 "1999-12-12T13:34:00Z")
My usual reply: Wus up? Others: I’m here. That’s gotta count for _something_. The silent guy nod is always an option, as well. * * * You say “cheesy” like that’s a **BAD** thing. ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 1999, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-respond-to-the-greeting-how-ya-doin/12060/19 "1999-12-12T15:04:00Z")
" Still doin’. It’s only when you stop doin’ that you get in trouble in this world." * * * Save The Endangered Jackalope! Send Cash Now! If You Do This, I Will Use The Cash To Save Any Jackalope That I Happen To Find! Send Cash Now! Before It’s Too Late! My Bills, I Mean **The Jackalope’s Bills** Are Due The 15th Of The Month! _This has been a message from the Illuminated Committee To Save The Jackalope. Fnord._ ---
**Author:** ![Chef\_Troy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/85f322/32.png) [@Chef\_Troy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chef_Troy)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 1999, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-respond-to-the-greeting-how-ya-doin/12060/20 "1999-12-12T16:06:00Z")
I usually say either “I’m gettin’ by” or “Fine, as long as the clock keeps going clockwise.” the latter is used mainly at work. * * * Live a Lush Life Da Chef [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-respond-to-the-greeting-how-ya-doin/12060.md?page=2)