This is the last day of our Fall break. I've done nothing related to school, and I've slept a whole lot, so it was good.
I was in Albemarle this weekend for general reasons when I (nearly literally) ran into an acquaintance from school. I asked how he was and he said he was fine, proceeding with accepted protocol to ask the same of me. I responded and then we went each our own way. It got me to thinking. Etiquette serves its purpose, and it isn't a bad thing, but how many times when you are asked of your condition does the inquiring person actually care? Do they even listen to your response? They're usually not looking at you after they ask the question. Remember that I'm speaking of strangers or acquaintances, not friends. If you answer negatively, and they are listening, it's as if you urinated on their leg. By that I mean it's a surprise. "You didn't say, 'fine,' or, 'I'm doing good'? Then, you broke procedure. You didn't abide by the protocol. Now I have to act like I care. Thanks a lot." Yeah, it's not like that with everyone, but the fact that it's prevalent enough to cause me to write this is a shame. Just know that if I ask how you are, I mean it.
