Microblog Memes

So, here's a fuck up from earlier this year:

A family friend came over one day. I was out by my car, having returned from a visit to the shops. I hadn't seen him in years, and he asks how I was. I responded with "Surviving", before saying something about my degree progress and stuff.

He goes a bit quiet and awkward, eventually making his way inside while I finished what I was doing.

I walked inside and walked past my parents talking to him. Then I remembered something. His partner was diagnosed with a brain tumour that had metastasised from breast cancer. I also remembered that a few days ago, my parents went to visit his partner in the palliative care unit because she lost the fight. I realised then that he clearly came around to tell my parents that she had passed away. She fucking died and I responded with "Surviving".

The horrors persist but so do I

How's it going?

"Yeah not bad, stable downfall"

Not sure on which podcast I heard this

"sure is"

My go to is "Ah yeah", which could mean I've not considered it, but also dodges me venting the stress I'm feeling. It's a win-win.

"...Dealin'..."

What do I do if these are my go-to’s?!

"It's going" for me isn't a positive response, but I'd say it's more neutral than anything. I wonder if age and/or region factor in. If my answer is something like "well, I'm still alive" that definitely means nothing good is going on (or, perhaps more accurately, I can't see the good because of all the bad at that particular moment).

Is this a USian thing?

"Not too bad" so as to make them think not bad at all when really, it's bad, but could be worse.

My go-tos are: "Not too bad." and 'I can't complain.'

At least where I was raised, it wasn't 'manly' to respond cheerfully or positively, and the person questioning you absolutely did not have any interest in your well-being and it would be awkward to describe how you were feeling and why you felt that way.

It's also possible to to shoot a 'Hows it going?' right back at them and cease interaction immediately.

I'm still alive.

"I'm livin' the dream (and would like to wake up)" is a personal favorite of mine.

Why is this segregated?

"Still breathing"

"I'm here, aren't I?" (usually used at work)

Not sure I get it. So what is the answer if you're not white?

"I will overcome."

"I keep dragging myself along."

"Somehow, I remain alive."

"I will perish, but not like this, hopefully, not today."

"Everything is shit and I think we should all get a grenade and end it all."

... and other reasons why you don't ask a Lithuanian how's it going for them.

"Oh you know. How are you?"

"Moving forward at a rate of 1 second per second."

Usually at work, in meetings.

I like dropping, "It's not, but how are you?" an easy and more polite way of saying "you don't give two shits about me, so let's talk about you."

"still breathing"

Personal favorite

"it is what it is"

"Somehow I've managed to remain alive."

"I'm above ground."

Same as ever.