# 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:** 11\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![J\_String](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ce73a5/32.png) [@J\_String](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/J_String)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 1999, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-respond-to-the-greeting-how-ya-doin/12060/41 "1999-12-13T23:21:00Z")
I usually tell them the truth. This tends to break them of the habit of using “How ya Doin’?” as a substitute for “Hello.” It also guarantees that I’ll be left alone, which is what I usually want anyway. * * * It’s a long way to heaven, but only three short steps to hell. ---
**Author:** ![neuro-trash\_grrrl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/3ab097/32.png) [@neuro-trash\_grrrl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/neuro-trash_grrrl)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 1999, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-respond-to-the-greeting-how-ya-doin/12060/42 "1999-12-14T04:27:00Z")
Passer-by: How’re ya doin’? Neuro: Snarl. * * * “That’s entertainment!” —Vlad the Impaler ---
**Author:** ![Satan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Satan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Satan)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 1999, 6:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-respond-to-the-greeting-how-ya-doin/12060/43 "1999-12-15T06:41:00Z")
I refuse to lie when asked that question. It’s led to people I barely know being inundated with a conversation they never expected to be in, let me tell you. In my old age, I have mellowed a bit, however. Now, if I ain’t doin’ all that well, an honest, “Lousy, but it’s not your fault” is my comeback. * * * Yer pal, Satan ---
**Author:** ![saraam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8dc957/32.png) [@saraam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saraam)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 1999, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-respond-to-the-greeting-how-ya-doin/12060/44 "1999-12-14T19:00:00Z")
I rather like, “Swimmingly”. It sounds so, I don’t know, bouyant. ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 1999, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-respond-to-the-greeting-how-ya-doin/12060/45 "1999-12-14T19:12:00Z")
I reply… “Not bad for an old man” * * * If you can’t convince them, confuse them. Harry S. Truman ---
**Author:** ![Gazelle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Gazelle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gazelle)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 1999, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-respond-to-the-greeting-how-ya-doin/12060/46 "1999-12-16T16:39:00Z")
- I’m fine, how are you? - Bacccch. - Ahh, it’s not Friday yet. - Great! - Fandiddlytastic! ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 1999, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-respond-to-the-greeting-how-ya-doin/12060/47 "1999-12-16T17:04:00Z")
With a bone-crushing punch to the nose. * * * Uke ---
**Author:** ![Gazelle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Gazelle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gazelle)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 1999, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-respond-to-the-greeting-how-ya-doin/12060/48 "1999-12-16T17:38:00Z")
How about this, then: Having a good day, O Ukie One? Lub, Me ---
**Author:** ![Jake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f475e1/32.png) [@Jake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jake)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 1999, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-respond-to-the-greeting-how-ya-doin/12060/49 "1999-12-16T20:21:00Z")
“Hangin’ in there” or when down “Better than nuthin’” ---
**Author:** ![eden](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5f9b8f/32.png) [@eden](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eden)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 1999, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-respond-to-the-greeting-how-ya-doin/12060/50 "1999-12-16T20:58:00Z")
In my best Joey Trebbiani: “How YOU doin’?” Sometimes I say “Hi!” out of reflex, and then I feel stupid, thinking I just told that person I’m high. ---
**Author:** ![Vestal\_Blue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/5e9695/32.png) [@Vestal\_Blue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vestal_Blue)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 1999, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-respond-to-the-greeting-how-ya-doin/12060/51 "1999-12-16T21:07:00Z")
Tell them you’re at a disastrous crossroads in your life, just to see if they’re paying attention. * * * VB “Hey! How 'bout that Toe Jam?” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-respond-to-the-greeting-how-ya-doin/12060.md?page=2)