How are you?

'How are you? ' comes so naturally to us to greet a stranger or to start a conversation. It must be the most abused 3 word phrase, only second to 'OMG' in the history of human speech.

On an average an office goer would utter the supposedly caring question with stoic siberian frostiness to a co passenger on the metro or while bumping on to colleagues in the elevator or as an opening line while placing an order at a cafe.

Each time one thing is common. Nobody expects an honest answer for the simple reason that people do not expect to hear anything other than 'FINE'. Or may be nobody expects one to confide in the environs of a metro, elevator or a cafe.

Just imagine the plight of a cafe steward. Hundreds of coffee freaks throw this line at him. He thinks: Damn, I have a low paid job which requires me to take orders for more than 10 different drink variants with 15 different flavours, where the milk could be skimmed, low fat or soya with the option to be served with or without froth or cream in different sizes further confused as Tall, Picolo, Primo & Masimo in take away cups or china. WHAT DO YOU THINK?

Next time wish him a good day and save your 'how are you's' for a meaningful moment to express your love and concern for the special someones in your life.