The people who answer 'how are you' with a full, polished, three-sentence summary aren't oversharing. They've simply learned that vague answers invite follow-up, and a clean reply is the fastest way to get out of a question they were never given the language to actually answer. - Silicon Canals

"The polished three-sentence reply isn't openness at all. It's the opposite. It's a closed door painted to look like an open one."

"If you say 'good,' you've left an opening. A one-word reply is a door cracked just wide enough for someone to push through."

"A lot of people giving these polished answers aren't hiding anything dramatic. They simply don't have the words for what's actually going on inside them."

"Emotional vocabulary isn't something you're born with. It develops through use, through being asked, through hearing a parent or teacher name what's happening in your chest."

Responses to the question 'how are you' can reveal more than just surface-level feelings. A polished, three-sentence reply often indicates a desire to avoid deeper engagement, functioning as a closed door. In contrast, vague answers like 'I'm fine' can invite further inquiry. Many individuals lack the emotional vocabulary to express their true feelings, which develops through experience and communication. Understanding this emotional language is crucial for effective emotional regulation and connection with others.

Read at Silicon Canals