We’ve all experienced those awkward moments when we want to greet someone who is going through a difficult time and we’re not sure what to say. Advice columnist Carolyn Hax shared some anonymous advice from one of her readers on this subject in The Arizona Republic. “A man in our office was dying. The last months he came in only occasionally and I would hear greetings called out as he walked down the hall, ‘how are you feeling?’ The answer would be vague and generic. So, when he got to my end of the hall, I just said, ‘Good to see you.’ A true statement, a welcome greeting, and he wasn’t put on the spot to reply.” Her column went on to say, “This phrase is now on my go-to list of greetings. It can ease encounters with wayward teens or awkward friendships and affirms the re-connections in intimate relationships.” This phrase is appropriate for so many awkward situations that its now on my go-to list of greetings as well.
When my husband passed and I was getting out of the house again the greeting that undid me was “how are you doing?” Or, “I’m sorry for your loss”
I was trying to keep it together and it just opened the wound in a pubic setting..,,,,and was not appreciated.
The happy to see you. You look well, I’ve missed you, are so much better.