Aspects of Everyday Conversation That I Simply Don't Understand

On a recent post, regular reader, “CM” asked me in comments if there was anything in particular that I really didn’t understand about US culture. Well, the short answer is that there are many things about everyday conversations and about people in general that I just plain don't get.

 There are many things about US culture, and the way people act that I don't understand in any way, shape, or form. I could write a very long list if I could think about it for a few hours, but for starters, here's a few I really don't understand. This list is more about people's actions and what they say and do in everyday, light-hearted conversations, passing comments, or maybe chatter among co-workers, church members, etc.

Telling people "good morning".

I really don't understand this one. Most people don't like mornings, period, and mornings are not a good time of day for most people. Especially someone like me, who has to wake up at 3 am, three times a week, all while having pain/stiffness and fatigue most mornings (the Cymablata helps, but it hasn't gotten rid of it completely, I still deal with it some days, especially when waking up at or before 7 am).

If you do happen to be one of those rare morning people, please keep in mind that most of the population isn't, and be aware of the circumstances in which you are saying this, ie, if it's extremely early in the morning, etc.

Case in point: My dad, because of his various health conditions, every several years will end up several days in a local hospital at a time. Normally, he is his normal, hyper, obsessive self, but once he enters a hospital, that all changes. He can become the human version of Grumpy Cat.

A nurse once walked into his hospital room, and put on what was obviously a fake smile (it was so obvious that even I could tell), and said "Hello sir, good morning!". My dad responded with "It may be morning, but it sure as hell ain't good". My mom was shocked and scolded him, telling him that it isn't her fault that he's in the hospital, she's just trying to do her job, as difficult as that may be.

My dad said that he's in the hospital, how can she expect this to be a good morning for him? I both agreed with him, and felt sorry for the nurse at the same time, since she probably has to deal with people like him all the time.

Asking people "How are you doing?" when meeting them.

If your best friend is asking you this sincerely during a highly emotional time, say, during a funeral, or when you're going through a breakup or divorce, sure, I can more than understand the point of this question, but to ask it to people at random when meeting them?

It especially makes no sense if you don't even hardly know the person, and/or you are asking the question not out of sincerity, just as a matter of formality.