Date: Wed, 22 Oct 1997 21:56:16 -0400

From: Jody jcstre01[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]MOREHEAD-ST.EDU

Subject: Re: Bless You



I assume that all of this discussion about politeness and the decline

thereof in the linguistic sense can also be seen in those that use the

so-called "polite" terms, as we have come to consider them, when they

mean absolutely nothing by the endearments. Why ask an acquaintance (or

even stranger) "How are you doing?" if you don't care to hear the actual

answer to the question. Is it supposed to be some sort of hypothetical

question? I would prefer being ignored to being asked a question as such

and refused a chance to answer that very question. My suggestion, don't

even TRY to be polite if you couldn't care less.