I am in search of an alternative. We all say it and on some level we mean it. Why wouldn't we want someone to have a nice day or evening or week or weekend? Yet when someone who really does care about me says it, it's like fingernails on the proverbial blackboard that is my brain.
I know I know. They just want me to have a nice day which is really nice of them. Would I want my husband to drop " I love you" every time I walk out the door to go to work? No. It would become as meaningless as anything else we say routinely. Besides I prefer love be shown as well as spoken.
I don't think there is any one great alternative. I think if it's someone you care about then you should maybe give it a personal spin. If work is sucking then you can tell me "Don't let the bastards get u down" as I walk out the door. It means you know what's going on in my life. How about "I can't wait till we get back home tonight." It's nice to know someone is looking forward to seeing me. Some days I might like "Don't forget to have fun!" Those are the days I go to work as if I am walking the long green mile!
I guess all my mini rant is saying is pay attention people! Don't talk to people you care about like you're one of the pod people. This goes for me too! So thanks for listening and have a nice day!
To people I know, I simply say, "Later!" My husband and I would always say, "Love you!" as one of us went out the door. To my road warrior clients I say, "Stay safe," "Safe journey," and usually add, "Stay outta trouble!" which I also say to the kids. To total stranger whom I will never encounter again, "Have a great day!" is Minnesotan for "go away."
ReplyDeleteWe've all got the things we say to each other. I think I was ranting because it was feeling as if no thought was put into it. Maybe there was a full moon! The Minessotan for go away is priceless and will be in my mind next time I say to someone "Have a great day!"
ReplyDeleteI think one of the worst things people say "by rote", without any real thought behind it is, "I'm sorry for your loss." I HATE it! I'm hearing it more and more and it just seems so cold. It comes out of peoples' mouths without any hint of feeling, with no emotional impact. It's become meaningless.
ReplyDeleteI try really hard to find other words to convey how hard the loss of a loved one can be... sometimes just a touch, a hand held tightly or a hug, a name spoken... "Oh, Kim... oh no, how awful." Sometimes it's enough and seems so much more from the heart.
I've never been able to say those words because it feels so fake. I think people say it because they should say something and they don't know what to say. Usually I'm quiet when I go on a condolence call or at some point I'll talk about the person because it should also be a time to celebrate that persons life.
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