Oh, why? Did you have a bad day? Wanna talk about it?

Is it because it’s strangers asking? And you feel you have to pretend to be “fine?”

If so, I get that. Strangers and even acquaintances can be scary.

I love being asked how my day is by my partner though.

My last job had a whole bunch of people like you. I had to mentally put people in a few different lists

1. People that are OK with being greeted and like when you ask how their day is going.
2. People that get mad if you don't greet them and get mad if you ask them how their day is going.
3. People that get angry if you acknowledge their existence.

It was truly a quest for survival when you have 200 coworkers in an open space.

Probably not.

I don't care if it's small talk. But being asked about your day with genuine intrest. That's good. Especially after having done something exciting the past weeks.

That's why you just say, "good thanks," and NEVER EVER ask them in return.

Many people ask how someone's day is because they actually want to tell you about their day. And the normal thing is for people to return the question. So you get trapped into listening to someone complain about their day because you retuned their small talk.

Instead, just don't engage in the small talk by answering but not asking in return.

A lot of people get pretty put off by it, but they're either not able to articulate why, or they realize that "but you didn't ask me about my day!" is a stupid thing to be mad about. So the end result is those people find a different victim who's attention they can consume, and I am spared.

I don’t like being asked about your day either, Bangela :(

How was your 2023 (emoji responses accepted!)?

Honest question then: how would someone approach you and express interest in your well-being while attempting to bond or develop some common ground just a teeny bit? Sports? Weather? TV? Keep it at "hello"? Thank you.