this thread.. dedicated to 1 of the most annoying questions in the world- are you okay?

for me, being okay means being free from all wories, of all problems in yout life, and you are happy and content with where you are- so for me, I am barely ever okay.. if someone asks me, I always say, no, it's been so long since I was okay (or sometimes I say, I wish I know what it felt like to be okay)

what does being okay mean to you, and what do you usually answer if someone asks are you okay?

[CepheidVariable]

I find people usually ask how your day/week is going or somesuch variant. Or just "How are you?"

In my not huge experience, "Are you okay?" is expressing concern. They suspect you might be feeling a little blah -- or maybe a lot worse. Highly dependent on the people and situation of course.

for me, being okay means being free from all wories, of all problems in yout life, and you are happy and content with where you are

Maybe it is for some people. I often feel I really don't understand a lot of people. For me, I'd call that fantastic. Okay is just ... okay. Okay is "not bad".

If a stranger asks, I'll usually just say something along the lines of "Yes, I've just had a long day." or some similar platitude because I'm not going to get into *all that*. If someone I know asks, sometimes I may tell them what's wrong.

I don't know if any of that helps you.

To me, if I ever say, I'm ok, that's like, I'm fine....as in, not top dollar, but nothing drastic is really up. I'm guilty of this question personally. If I'm really feeling crabby, I'll say oh, I'm ok, it's all the others.

[Sunflower123]

To me the question are you okay means to me that someone is concerned for my well being. It also usually means I'm not good but I'm not close to checking out. I respond yes, I'm okay almost every time unless it's a close family member.

[crimsoncat]

I always assume they don't really want to know,its just an automatic greeting really,so reply witha an equally automatic yeah I'm fine,you? ,and in rarely ever fine (.

[lizardlady]

Like some others I take the question "Are you okay?" as an expression of concern, that the person thinks I'm not my usual self. How I answer depends on the person asking the question. If it is someone I'm comfortable telling if I'm not okay. I tell them what's going on. For others I just say "I'm fine."

To me, "How are you?" is different. In the US it's another way of saying "hello."

[Unrigged64072835]

Since I can't really hide my emotions all that well, I know I don't look that good when I'm asked. I usually say, "I'm just tired" or "I'm fine, just a little stressed." With my husband and daughter I can be more specific, but I don't want strangers freaking if I told them how I actually felt.

[Skeezyks]

My wife asks me this occasionally. I just say: "Yes, I'm okay... just tired." What's the point of getting into it?

[pastelcarly]

That dreaded ******* question!

I can't stand this question. Especially because people tend to ask you when you clearly are NOT okay. It's been awhile since I have felt 'okay' either, but usually I just say yes because those who care enough to ask generally don't do much to help even if I said no.

[Junerain]

Okay, to me, means not only being in a healthy, peaceful state of mind, but having the wherewithal to be able to handle an unexpected upset, or an unexpected setback......which, I'm okay at the moment...but if a stranger, or even an acquaintance, asks, I always answer 'yes..' unless someone asks, in my circle of close friends.....then I'm honest..

[Travelinglady]

If I say I am "okay," it might really mean that I have nothing going on that in itself is fatal. "Okay" means acceptable, but not outstanding. I sometimes just say "yes" and move on, then.

Originally Posted by pastelcarly

That dreaded ******* question!

I can't stand this question. Especially because people tend to ask you when you clearly are NOT okay. It's been awhile since I have felt 'okay' either, but usually I just say yes because those who care enough to ask generally don't do much to help even if I said no.

exilent response.

I have found this out a number of times too.

and I always wonder this.. if you don't wanna know, why do you even ask (it's 1 of my phrases now), when people ask a question and I answer honestly, then they say i'm not really that bothered, it's what I say.. you don't wanna know?

then why ask