Thursday, November 04, 2010

And the correct answer is...?

I have a small problem when people greet me with a perfunctory “You orright?” (or just “Orright?”) - I don't know what to say. "You orright" does not really give me a chance to enquire after them, instead forcing me to merely smile or reply with an inane “Yes thanks”.


How DO you respond to “Orright” (suggestions pls)?

Also: How do YOU respond to “Orright” (answers pls) - assuming you get asked the question. It probably doesn't happen outside of the UK.


*Orright = “all right” spelt phonetically

13 comments:

Anu said...

a) Me Not Wrong
b) Me Not Left

ok...ok...before you go "aaargh" - like you said its just perfunctory - so just acknowledge and move on.

Shammi said...

Anu: :D

Premalatha said...

1. yeah. you?
2. not bad. you?
:-D

meerkat said...

you should put on a plummy accent and say 'jolly good', musnt grumble. or launch into a long monologue about your troubles

swarna said...

usually with a "yeah fine"

Uttara said...

You're not really meant to answer this question. You just say yes, whether you mean it or not. Irritates me too.

Pollux aka Paps said...

Shyam: I get "Alright?" quite often in NZ. Of course I am alright. so i just say 'yes'. And if I feel so inclined, sometimes I add"And you?" after the 'yes'

Shammi said...

Prema: :) Thanks!

Meerkat: Wish I could do a plummy accent. But I'm tempted by your suggestion to go into a litany of (imaginary) ills :)

Swarna: I do say that when I'm feeling more grumpy than polite :)

Uttara: I just resent the question, that's my problem! :)

Gee: Oh yeah, forgot NZ uses that "greeting" too. I always wonder what they'd say if I said "No I'm not". :)

Radi said...

All you need to do is flash a quick, very clearly insincere smile at them, if you're feeling especially grumpy.

Here in the US of A, the irritant is phrased: "Howyoudoin?", but the intent is the same - some greeting, no matter how inane.

Achala said...

I always responded with a "Yeah, you orright?" Usually with the same degree of indifference.

Kamini said...

Unfortunately, I always end up sounding far more enthusiastic than I feel - my upbringing, I suppose!
And - wishing you, your family and your readers a wonderful Deepavali!

Teesu (very very Indian, very very good) said...

I say "yes, and you?" if I have time. Else, I say "Yes, thanks" and move on quickly. As IF anyone is bothered to listen to the story of my life. That 'Orright?' must merely be an acknowledgement of another's existence. BUT, I say nothing HERE where I get suspicious stares if I look 'normally pleasant' leave alone happy :D. My responses above are for when I'm abroad...

Anonymous said...

Send those Orright types here. They'll hear of power cuts, diarrhea, in-law troubles, missed buses, etc etc. The question/greeting will never pop out again.