That is not what Rousseau meant by the social contract. He may have been that miserable. He was the rare philosopher that married but he and his wife donated each of their 5 children to a Paris orphanage.
I spend 24 hours a week in a nursing home where all our residents, except the demented ones, are acutely aware that death is near. Their response to, “How are you?” is, “I’m here.” Pretty much says it all.
I asked a cashier if she was having a good day. The store had just been sold to liquidators and was closing in 2 weeks. People who worked there for over 20 years were losing their jobs just before Christmas and getting no pension or severance pay, many had already been fired. She was not having a nice day and I felt bad for asking.
HappyDog/ᵀʳʸ ᴮᵒᶻᵒ ⁴ ᵗʰᵉ ᶠᵘⁿ ᵒᶠ ᶦᵗ Premium Member 8 months ago
Congratulations, you’ve been categorized.
Justanolddude Premium Member 8 months ago
So it’s Okay to lie? And this is going to save me so much time!
Carl Premium Member 8 months ago
“Fine and you?” if you wish to upgrade the answer.
ladykat 8 months ago
I’m dying, Tabby. We’re all dying, some faster than others.
ComicLover2 Premium Member 8 months ago
Tabby is my favorite character on this strip. She is great.
judy 8 months ago
I learned quickly to NOT ask how someone was. I used other pleasant greetings. I don’t want a health report or life story.
Teto85 Premium Member 8 months ago
I always reply to that with “Do you really want to know, or are you just issuing a greeting?”
bilbrlsn 8 months ago
That is not what Rousseau meant by the social contract. He may have been that miserable. He was the rare philosopher that married but he and his wife donated each of their 5 children to a Paris orphanage.
Mike Baldwin creator 8 months ago
Very funny! You could burden everybody with your tales of woe, but only if you can make it sound amusing.
Vet Premium Member 8 months ago
It’s always good….every day you’re alive it’s a good day.
John Lamb Premium Member 8 months ago
I spend 24 hours a week in a nursing home where all our residents, except the demented ones, are acutely aware that death is near. Their response to, “How are you?” is, “I’m here.” Pretty much says it all.
QuietStorm27 8 months ago
I never know how to answer that, the honest answer will ruin the social contract. I usually just answer by sending the question back.
vacman 8 months ago
One of my favorite responses came from an elderly woman who always gave the same response…“I’m trying to do better.”
rc_stone_1 8 months ago
Gotta be careful what you ask, especially around older folks. Don’t want to get an impromptu “organ recital”.
Azoth888 8 months ago
The answer is NOT “good”, which is an adjective. The answer is “I’m FINE” or “I’m WELL”, which are adverbs.
miztrniceguy 8 months ago
My normal response is " Better than some, not as good as others ". I figure as long as I can say that, then life is ok.
Just-me 8 months ago
That’s always a loaded question.
MuddyUSA Premium Member 8 months ago
Oh, well…………and so it goes!
Bill The Nuke 8 months ago
I asked a cashier if she was having a good day. The store had just been sold to liquidators and was closing in 2 weeks. People who worked there for over 20 years were losing their jobs just before Christmas and getting no pension or severance pay, many had already been fired. She was not having a nice day and I felt bad for asking.
bookworm0812 8 months ago
I honestly hate being asked that by people who don’t give a flying fig. I never ask my customers that and I even hate when they ask me.
Kirk Barnes Premium Member 8 months ago
“If I was any better, people would PAY to be me!”