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I’ve been to lots of trade shows. I worked a booth at most of them, and been the customer at quite a few others. Pedestrian traffic at these shows ranges from super busy to super slow. And in the slow times I think about conversations and techniques for making the next conversation successful.
As a person who thinks too much, I started mulling over the most popular opening phrase at any trade show: How are you doing? I was throwing it out to just about every person I saw. I’d get it thrown right back at me. Super casual, easy opening. But then I started feeling superficial. Do I really care how these people felt? Frankly, no, I care about how I can make this person want my stuff. But also, I was more and more uncomfortable about asking a question to which I really do not want an answer.
And it’s not just at the trade shows. I started noticing the same question in the hallway at work and the grocery store and more.
So I shook it up. I now officially go with “good morning/afternoon/evening”. This one’s good because I’m totally cool with wishing people goodness throughout the day.
But I found I’m left with a void. Like in the hallway at work or the grocery store. When I get asked the question, do I reciprocate? Here’s where I take a stand. I don’t ask the question back. I let them know I am fabulous, because I always am, and thank them. In the reciprocal void that follows, I send them off with a smile.
Superfluous and superficial language. It’s habitual, and therefore a hard habit to break. I slip up every now and again, but my greetings are more comfortable and I can only hope that when the opening is more genuine, the rest of the conversation will go the same way.
