Anonymous
Post 08/31/2021 17:31     Subject: Re:Alternatives to “nice to meet you” when you don’t mean it?

Anonymous wrote:Hi Larla. I've heard a lot about you.


Yep. Aim to be politely insidious.
Anonymous
Post 08/31/2021 17:31     Subject: Alternatives to “nice to meet you” when you don’t mean it?

OP you will definitely need to report back on this one.
Anonymous
Post 08/31/2021 17:30     Subject: Alternatives to “nice to meet you” when you don’t mean it?

Why can't you just be cordial? What is so wrong with Nice to meet you?

Are you one of those people who would say to someone "yes those jeans do make you look fat". Probably not, right? because that would be rude. case in point.
Anonymous
Post 08/31/2021 17:26     Subject: Alternatives to “nice to meet you” when you don’t mean it?

Hi. How are you?
Anonymous
Post 08/31/2021 17:08     Subject: Re:Alternatives to “nice to meet you” when you don’t mean it?

Oh for goodness sake just go with the polite fiction. It's fine. It's not a lie. No one cares whether you mean it. Guess what, when people say "Hi, how are you?" they don't actually want to know, they want you to say "Not bad" and keep going.

These are the little social courtesies that every one else learned, and when you refuse to use them it throws a wrench into the whole exchange.
Anonymous
Post 08/31/2021 17:07     Subject: Alternatives to “nice to meet you” when you don’t mean it?

Anonymous wrote:I stick with "nice to meet you". Because the situations the I find myself in like that are when a parent brings a lawyer to a school meeting. Would I rather there not be a lawyer? Of course. Do I need to be pleasant and professional so they don't think I'm a jerk and attack me more than they're already going to? Also yes. Maybe they won't need to come next time if they realize I'm a decent human being who intimately is on the same team as they are. So I say "nice to meet you", even if I would have rathered not to.


ULTIMATELY, not intimately! (THAT would be a legit reason to be worried...)
Anonymous
Post 08/31/2021 17:06     Subject: Alternatives to “nice to meet you” when you don’t mean it?

I stick with "nice to meet you". Because the situations the I find myself in like that are when a parent brings a lawyer to a school meeting. Would I rather there not be a lawyer? Of course. Do I need to be pleasant and professional so they don't think I'm a jerk and attack me more than they're already going to? Also yes. Maybe they won't need to come next time if they realize I'm a decent human being who intimately is on the same team as they are. So I say "nice to meet you", even if I would have rathered not to.
Anonymous
Post 08/31/2021 16:59     Subject: Re:Alternatives to “nice to meet you” when you don’t mean it?

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Is it about the individual person, or their profession (or other station in life that is not their fault). I've said 'wish we were meeting under different circumstances' if it's someone like a medical specialist or repair person - and they usually totally get it.

If it's personal, just 'hello' It's okay to be a little cold.


+1. I find the "I wish we were meeting under different circumstances" is the best way to address the elephant in the room without being rude.


What? I can't believe you are agreeing with her. It's a total a-hole comment.


New poster here. This works fine for situations like meeting funeral home staff, hospice staff, etc.
Anonymous
Post 08/31/2021 16:49     Subject: Alternatives to “nice to meet you” when you don’t mean it?

"This will all be over soon".
Anonymous
Post 08/31/2021 16:04     Subject: Re:Alternatives to “nice to meet you” when you don’t mean it?

Good morning, good afternoon, or good evening, as appropriate for the time of day.
Anonymous
Post 08/31/2021 15:59     Subject: Re:Alternatives to “nice to meet you” when you don’t mean it?

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Is it about the individual person, or their profession (or other station in life that is not their fault). I've said 'wish we were meeting under different circumstances' if it's someone like a medical specialist or repair person - and they usually totally get it.

If it's personal, just 'hello' It's okay to be a little cold.


+1. I find the "I wish we were meeting under different circumstances" is the best way to address the elephant in the room without being rude.


What? I can't believe you are agreeing with her. It's a total a-hole comment.
Anonymous
Post 08/31/2021 15:57     Subject: Re:Alternatives to “nice to meet you” when you don’t mean it?

Anonymous wrote:Is it about the individual person, or their profession (or other station in life that is not their fault). I've said 'wish we were meeting under different circumstances' if it's someone like a medical specialist or repair person - and they usually totally get it.

If it's personal, just 'hello' It's okay to be a little cold.


+1. I find the "I wish we were meeting under different circumstances" is the best way to address the elephant in the room without being rude.
Anonymous
Post 08/31/2021 15:18     Subject: Alternatives to “nice to meet you” when you don’t mean it?

Take care!
Anonymous
Post 08/31/2021 15:17     Subject: Alternatives to “nice to meet you” when you don’t mean it?

Anonymous wrote:“So…at last we meet for the first time for the last time.”


Absolutely this. And please report back.
Anonymous
Post 08/31/2021 15:09     Subject: Alternatives to “nice to meet you” when you don’t mean it?

Anonymous wrote:Just say, very slowly, "Well, well, well."


+1.