I work at a large company and have so for over 11 years now. In that amount of time you get to work with and know a lot of people. Not well enough to be friends, but well enough to greet each other as you walk down the halls. But I hate that it’s now common practice to pretend to be nice and inquire on how the other one is doing. Here’s the typical situation I encounter at least a dozen times a day.

You pass someone you know, but don’t work directly with, in the hall on the way to a meeting.

You: Hi (With a fake smile)

Co-Worker: Hi, how are you doing? (Also with fake smile)

You: Doing well. How about you? (By this time you’re passing the person)

Co-Worker: Doing well. Thanks. (Usually already passed by 3 steps and neither of you turn around)

Why does this bug me so much? Not sure. Just seems like a waste of time and you know the other person doesn’t get any real satisfaction out of either. What ever happened to the times where a simple nod would do and you save the real greetings for those you would actually stop in the hallway and talk to? Well, off I go to nuke my lunch. Hope no one is standing in the break room. That would be too much “non” conversation than I could handle right now.