A Greet, a How-are-you and a Goodbye

Today is the second day of the Chinese New Year celebration, the celebration has 13 more days to go and it seems that I may enjoy this form of coming togetherness event. Long friends that you haven't heard let alone seen since the last time you've met, distant relative that you didn't know much about but rekindled every year, etc. Each of these group starts with a greeting, a warm shake of hand and looking unsure after that. Too close in relation for small talk but can't go anywhere else because you haven't met since a long time and don't know where to start. Then the converstation begins with a few "how-are-you-doings". Like 'how is your job', 'how's your new car', etc. But to say a hello and followed by a 'how-are-you-doing' seems like a universal ritual of greeting. I've written a stuff about this one so I'll not elaborate but just my personal feelings about this issue and just wanted to share out.

A shake of a hand and a smile following the "hello" greeting. Doesn't it seemed odd or suspicious since you shake hands but do you actually, sincerely want to know how is that person doing in his/her life? If you are sincerely wondering how is she/he doing then that's fine but in my opinion, most people say that without even realizing what each other is saying/doing. So if I were to shake your hand without a slightest intention of wanting to know how are you doing, then I just might as well not do it. If it is to be one, please do it more sincerely. A 'hello' followed by a 'how-are-you-doing" should be sincere and the other person would be able to pcik out the genuine from the fakes. Be sincere about what you do, that's my bottom line and not just do it for the sake of a ritual.

A goodbye should also be meant like a goodbye and not just a bye. A goodbye is when you wish that person well and wishing to see or hear her/him again. What most people would have is an empty goodbye, pretty much like a 'how-are-you-doing' but it is meant for a short parting but don't know when to meet up again. A goodbye is also important for a sincere termination of communication but with a hope of meeting up again where the two parties left off. A 'bye' as oppose to a 'goodbye' is just an informal termination. My point is not to look at the words but the sincerity behind the words. Don't just use words as a ritual but also mean what you say, especially the first and the last impression of communication.