How to Respond to “How Are You Doing”

Are you often unsure of your response to how you are doing? Read on to learn about the same and much more.

The question of how someone is doing is a common one. It's the kind of question that comes up at dinner parties and social events, but it also comes up in everyday life when you're working with clients or colleagues.

But what if you are not feeling well? What if you don't want to share your problems with the world? What if you're having a bad day?

If you're like most people, you sometimes have to come up with creative ways to respond to this question.

It's important to respond to “How are you doing?” as soon as possible and keep your response brief. It depends on the situation, but if someone asks how you're doing and you don't want to share any personal details, then just say, “Fine.” If they follow up with another question like “Are you sure?” or “What happened?” then feel free to answer that question too. But if they don't ask anything else and just leave it at that, then stick with your original answer — no need to go over the top and give more details than necessary!

How to Respond to How Are You Doing?

The question is a common greeting and also a way to check in on someone's well-being, so it's perfectly acceptable to ask it of a friend or loved one.

If you're asked, “How are you doing?” though, there are many different ways to answer. Some people may not have time for a long-winded response, and others may just want to give one-word answers. Here are some short responses you can give to this question:

“I'm good, Thanks”

“I'm fine. Thank You”

“I'm okay, Thanks”

Remember, it is advisable and more formal to respond with a “Thanks” or “Thank you” after your response on how you are doing. As said above, some people will ask this question in a hurry, and so they may not listen to a prolonged response. But if the person who asks you this seems not to be in a hurry or seems interested to no more about how you are, you can always give extended responses such as:

“I'm good. Thanks for asking. How about you?”

“I'm okay, thanks!”

So generally, the best way to reply to such questions is to reply with at least one positive word and ask them the same question. (Of course not forgetting to gauge whether the extended response is worth it if this person seems to be in a hurry).

However, your responses to the question are not limited. You can reply based on how well you know this person; for instance, if it's a stranger, maintain absolute formal responses. If it's someone you know, you can answer truthfully based on how exactly you are feeling.

Here is a breakdown of how to respond to “How Are You?” appropriately:

1

How to Respond to a Friend

When the question comes from a friend, it may not come directly as “How are you?” A friend who’s used to you can ask, “How's it going?” or “What's up?”.

So in reality, maybe you’re great, maybe you’re not so great. Maybe you’re trying to figure out how to be great, or maybe you’re just trying to make it through another day in your life.

But, whenever this question comes from a friend, it may be best to give a truthful answer. Though, it entirely depends on your relationship with the friend.

So you can give either of the following responses:

“I'm good, just not having a good day”

“I'm fine, thanks, and you?

” Oh, it's been a while, I'm having little this and that, but I will be well.”

2

How to Respond to a Senior

When you run into an elderly person in the grocery store, what should you say?

The answer is simple. After you answer them, you should ask them how they are doing. The problem is that many people are unsure what to say after saying, “How are you?”

Don’t worry! We have the answers for you. Here are your best responses:

“Hi, I'm very fine! How are you today?”

“Very well, thanks, and you?”

“I'm good, thanks; it's a great day!”

“I’m doing well. And how is your family?”

The most important thing to remember is that seniors are people, too. They have feelings, ambitions, goals, and dreams like everyone else. So it's best to respond with a nod and a little smile.

In addition, if the senior looks more concerned about how you are doing, you can go further and state exactly how you feel. More so if you are not okay.

“I had an unexpected change in plans, and I was disappointed at first, but everything worked out fine anyway!”

“I haven’t been feeling my best lately due to stress”

3

How to Respond to a Parent?

When a parent asks you, “How are you?” it can be tricky to know what the right answer is.

You don’t want to be so honest that they worry about you and want to know more details. But you also don’t want to lie and say, “I’m fine, how are you?” when actually you feel like crap.

But either way, if you decide to answer, it is best to keep the response in a way that the conversation keeps going (whether formal or informal).

Here are some of the best ways to respond when your parents ask you how you are:

“I'm fine, Dad. How About You?”

“Thanks, mom, I'm fine! And you?”

4

How to Respond to a Teacher?

Teachers are some of the most important people in your life. They shape your future, guide you on the right path, and they make sure you stay on track.

But when it comes to responding to a teacher who asks, “How are you?” or “How are things going?” it can be difficult to think of something to say.

You can, however, reply this way:

“I'm doing well, sir! How about you?”

“I'm okay, ma'am, thanks for asking. What about you?”

Police officers will often ask people how they are doing to gauge their exact situation. So you may need to answer them truthfully; this will allow you to build a better relationship with them.

However, some people can be too scared of a police officer that they may almost say nothing at all. You should know that ignoring a police officer's greetings may almost make them suspect something not to be okay with you.

Here's how you can respond to an officer:

“I'm fine, thanks, officer”

and just in case the police officer asks, “Is everything fine?”

You can answer with:

“No, sir, I don't think that guy has good intentions”

“Yes, all is well, thank you”

Whether you’re a manager or an employee, you may be asked by your boss, colleagues or subordinates how you are doing. This is the same for classmates as well. You can respond in many ways, but it may be awkward for both of you if you don’t know how to respond. Here are some tips on how to respond:

“I am fine, thanks, just tired. How about you?”

“Good! I just got promoted!”

“Pretty good — and you?”

Tips for Responding to “How Are You?” from a Colleague?

The question “How are you?” is one of the most common and yet most difficult to answer. While you may be tempted to say that you're great, this may not always be true. Whether you're feeling down because of a bad day at work or just a general sense of boredom, responding with an overly positive response can often seem disingenuous. But how do you respond when someone asks, “how are you?” in a way that is honest and polite?

The following tips will help you answer the question “how are you” in an authentic manner:

If you're unsure what the other person wants to hear, then simply maintain a formal response by saying something like “I'm doing well” or “I'm doing okay.” This is likely safe territory as long as your tone of voice doesn't convey boredom or indifference (which would be rude).

Conclusion

There is always a tricky situation with the “How Are You Doing” question. People are either too enthusiastic to answer with a sarcastic tone, or they don't feel like answering it at all. If you offer up a “how are you doing?” and get nothing more than a monotone, disinterested, or just plain bored-sounding response, that person probably is not doing great—and it's pretty much the same thing as saying that they are not doing great.

That's exactly what other people perceive of you when you give a low response. Hopefully, you have some tips on what to say and when to say when the question arises.