Funny how the obligatory “how are you?” and then the expected D&M response are most often seen in “church culture” influenced Christian relationships. I don’t want to draw too much of a distinction there, or to bag it out…

Sometimes it makes me wonder how introspective we need to be when enquiring as to each other’s wellbeing. Personally, I have a few key people who would know if I was struggling. While a “how are you?” from a friend is appreciated in its sentiment, I tend to think of the response as more of a relationship-building exercise for mutual benefit (and adjust my response accordingly) rather than feel obliged to spill my guts.

I think I’ve made partial sense. Hopefully Bec will blog further on the topic.

Btw – Any chance you could turn off word verification Bec? If you’re not getting much spam, you’ll save us all from having to use it on every comment we post.

Sam you said, “but why dont you suprise them by giving an honest answer.”
Where I am now I dont really have too much of a problem with giving an honest answer its when every single person asks and if you keep on detailing things it just gets a bit fake, a bit ‘wow this is me, everything is either great or maybe not so good you need to know all about it right now because I HAVE to unburden myself upon another person and another and another.’ that’s what wears me out. This is the part where I hate msn. It has a lot of good points but yes. The same goes for some small group situations.

we’ve got the album Brood… released in 1994 as i just looked at the site. i havent heard ANY of their other stuff. which CD did u get?

and yeah i really do like them. (in case you asked that again) i sometimes randomly feel the urge to listen. it reminds me of sitting in the car in like year 7/8 because thats when dad woulda listened to it, and had it in the car.

many people are unsure as to how to breach “genuine” topics, with anyone, let alone someone who they respect and admire. so the “how are you?” question comes into it. yes, it is just the thing to say, but why dont you suprise them by giving an honest anser. something beyond the “good”, “tired” or “yeah, ok” responses i hear from so many people…

i understand that you get worn out, and you have your own stuff to deal with. but obviously you have earnt peoples trust enough for them to tell you their problems. thats not an easy thing to do you know…

(just some random thoughts… not to guilt you into feeling any certian way, but just my response to your post. and you said you wanted good comments a while back..)

but i’m hear if you need to blast off any thought, hurts or emotions at any time.

i really do like to know how my friends are going, also to know if there is any way that i can support them.