This is about as pointless and frivolous as it gets.
It’s customary when someone is sick to say “I hope you feel better.” But in the past 25 years or so a lot of people are saying “Feel better” instead.
It comes out as an order, making me want to say “Oh, yes sir! Whatever you say, your majesty. Putz.” Of course when people say it to me, I’m pretty grumpy anyway so there’s that.
And on a scale of 1-10 in annoyingness, it rates about a 1.2.
It bugs me a bit when people tell me to smile, but “feel better” doesn’t, which seems odd now that I think of it. Maybe because “feel better” seems more like wishing someone well, where as “C’mon! Smile!” insinuates that it doesn’t matter how a person feels, so long as they look pleasant.
I will admit to being mildly annoyed when someone utters this type of phrase and I strongly suspect that they do not actually care even the tiniest bit whether I have a “nice day” or “feel better” or whatever, but are only saying it out of politeness or obligation, snaring me into this ritual of exchanged insincerity. If you have no reason to suspect that the person does not genuinely wish you well though, it seems pretty picky and small to interpret the specific phrasing of someone’s good wishes as rude.
I can see it. I don’t suppose I’d react that way myself, because I grok what is actually meant. But I always make the extra effort to make myself clear, and say, “I hope you feel better.” No ambiguity there, I hope!
I agree with the OP. It’s a little annoying to be told to get better rather than just expressing a wish that I get better. And yeah, it’s no big deal, just a little grating.
Yesterday I told a friend to get better, which is what prompted me to start this thread. Then last night I told another friend to take care of herself.
I always say “I hope you feel better.” I have friends who say things like “You take care of that baby!” to new moms and I have an absolute horror of sounding that inane. “No, I thought I’d tie her to a rope and let her bump along behind the car for ballast.” Yes, I realize it’s perfectly understood that I’m not “ordering” my friends to feel better, but I’d rather express my good wishes.
ETA: To answer the OP, no, it is not rude to tell someone to feel better. There are various ways to say it.
I sometimes say it. I don’t mean harm. Its not like I’m shouting, “Achtung! Feel Better! Beeil Dich!*”
*although that might be so silly that it could have the intended effect.