Life would be easier if people were like Star Trek

[Captain_Nick]

I have learned recently when people say 'how are you' when starting a conversation with a stranger or acquaintance, they are not literally asking 'how are you'. They are looking to exhange body language and facial expressions that indicate friendship and comeradery. Apparently.

(This goes far in explaining why people seem to get ticked off when I ignore the question and get straight to my business)

This business of not saying what you really mean shits me. I never ask how people are because I don't care. And because I think that way it is logical that others do too.

It is time to stop this nonsense and talk straight. From now on, instead of this:

'how's it going mate?'
'yeah good mate,yourself?'

Say this

'I am hailing you'
'I am receiving your hail and opening a communication channel'

That way EVERYBODY knows what's going on, with out it having to be spelled out to people.

Can you think of other ways that Star Trek could improve our lives, right now?

 

[M'Sharak]

This business of not saying what you really mean shits me.

Yet the business of saying all manner of shit you don't really mean never seems to faze you in the slightest. 'Tis a curious thing.

 

[Gov Kodos]

Make life more like Farscape. I want a Chiana of my own.

 

[Awesome Possum]

I don't know, the subtleties of human interaction has never bothered me. Also I like to wear red and would prefer not to die every time I left the house.

 

[Gov Kodos]

But a world of super cool puppets, and Dominar Rigel for President.

 

[MacLeod]

I have learned recently when people say 'how are you' when starting a conversation with a stranger or acquaintance, they are not literally asking 'how are you'. They are looking to exhange body language and facial expressions that indicate friendship and comeradery. Apparently.

(This goes far in explaining why people seem to get ticked off when I ignore the question and get straight to my business)

This business of not saying what you really mean shits me. I never ask how people are because I don't care. And because I think that way it is logical that others do too.

It is time to stop this nonsense and talk straight. From now on, instead of this:

'how's it going mate?'
'yeah good mate,yourself?'

Say this

'I am hailing you'
'I am receiving your hail and opening a communication channel'

That way EVERYBODY knows what's going on, with out it having to be spelled out to people.

Can you think of other ways that Star Trek could improve our lives, right now?

Asking a question like that or commenting on the weather serves as an opening to conversation, nothing more. Most people generally prefer to exchange some form of minor pleasentry first before moving on.

What follows after that first bit can depend on personality type. Some like to mix in a lot of small talk others prefer going direct to the point and think you should say what you mean.

Not saying it's 100% accurate but an indicator of what personality type you are is the Myerrs-Brigg test.

 

[Yevetha]

But a world of super cool puppets, and Dominar Rigel for President.

Voting for him would be like voting for trump.

 

[Captain_Nick]

*hailing frequencies open*

Myers Briggs indicates tendancies, nothing more. I wouldn't identify with it. Some days I'm an extrovert, some days I'm an introvert. It all depends on how I answer the question. Funny that

M'Sharak you can't possibly know what I do or do not mean.

 

[Deranged Nasat]

But a world of super cool puppets, and Dominar Rigel for President.

Voting for him would be like voting for trump.

What makes you think you're getting votes? His Eminence the Dominar won't stand for any of that democracy dren.

 

[Kemaiku]

prefer not to die every time I left the house.

You're capable of dying more than once? how did you come by this little ability?

 

[Deranged Nasat]

prefer not to die every time I left the house.

You're capable of dying more than once? how did you come by this little ability?

He either learnt it from Lieutenant Leslie, or he is Lieutenant Leslie.

 

[horatio83]

I have learned recently when people say 'how are you' when starting a conversation with a stranger or acquaintance, they are not literally asking 'how are you'. They are looking to exhange body language and facial expressions that indicate friendship and comeradery. Apparently.

(This goes far in explaining why people seem to get ticked off when I ignore the question and get straight to my business)

This business of not saying what you really mean shits me. I never ask how people are because I don't care. And because I think that way it is logical that others do too.

It is time to stop this nonsense and talk straight.

I think you miss the point of phrases like "how are you?". They might be hypocritical on the surface but between the lines the sincere desire to be nice to each other is expressed.
Let me illustrate it via an example. Suppose you mess up and apologize to a friend. He or she will say something like "no need to apologize". If you took it literally you could say something like "OK, if my apology is not necessary I take it back". Obviously this would be quite an insult to your friend.
So you see the point, "no need to apology" is not literally true but it signals to the other that the fault is more than forgiven.

That's the beauty of language, you can use it to be precise and concise, e.g. if you are a scientist or speak on the radio as soldier or police officer, or you can use it to speak more between the lines and express things that cannot be expressed directly.

 

[GemHaters]

I have learned recently when people say 'how are you' when starting a conversation with a stranger or acquaintance, they are not literally asking 'how are you'. They are looking to exhange body language and facial expressions that indicate friendship and comeradery. Apparently.

(This goes far in explaining why people seem to get ticked off when I ignore the question and get straight to my business)

This business of not saying what you really mean shits me. I never ask how people are because I don't care. And because I think that way it is logical that others do too.

It is time to stop this nonsense and talk straight. From now on, instead of this:

'how's it going mate?'
'yeah good mate,yourself?'

Say this

'I am hailing you'
'I am receiving your hail and opening a communication channel'

That way EVERYBODY knows what's going on, with out it having to be spelled out to people.

Can you think of other ways that Star Trek could improve our lives, right now?

So right you are Nicky...

 

[Geckothan]

A world of communism and people that speak in technobabble? Sounds pretty hellish to me.

 

[MacLeod]

prefer not to die every time I left the house.

You're capable of dying more than once? how did you come by this little ability?

He either learnt it from Lieutenant Leslie, or he is Lieutenant Leslie.

Or he is a Time Lord.

 

[RandyS]

Can you think of other ways that Star Trek could improve our lives, right now?

Abolishing money would be great. We'd have less worries that way.

And yes, I know all the arguments about why this is not practical, and no, I don't have a better idea (except maybe going on the barter system, but that could create a whole new set of problems). But I still say we should try it.

 

[iguana_tonante]

Make life more like Farscape. I want a Chiana of my own.

Dibs on Aeryn Sun.

A world of communism and people that speak in technobabble? Sounds pretty hellish to me.

I'd groove it.

 

[Awesome Possum]

You're capable of dying more than once? how did you come by this little ability?

He either learnt it from Lieutenant Leslie, or he is Lieutenant Leslie.

Or he is a Time Lord.

I was conceived on a Tardis.

 

[Kemaiku]

He either learnt it from Lieutenant Leslie, or he is Lieutenant Leslie.

Or he is a Time Lord.

I was conceived on a Tardis.

Sure it wasn't just a phonebox and they told you that to make you feel better?

 

[TEACAKE'S PLEATHER DOME]

It is time to stop this nonsense and talk straight. From now on, instead of this:

'how's it going mate?'
'yeah good mate,yourself?'

Say this

'I am hailing you'
'I am receiving your hail and opening a communication channel'

That way EVERYBODY knows what's going on, with out it having to be spelled out to people.

It also saves you from thinking "you actually do not give a shit how I am so shut the fuck up already".

I would be open to this social revolution.