this post was submitted on 05 Apr 2025
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No Stupid Questions

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No such thing. Ask away!

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For example when you're catching up with friends after a while

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[–] HeyThisIsntTheYMCA@lemmy.world 1 points 28 minutes ago

gettin' better at turnin' food to poop, you?

[–] choco_crispies@lemmy.ml 3 points 1 hour ago

Not too much. Just doing the daily.

This is an honest and correct answer if that is your situation. Nothing wrong with that.

[–] jjjalljs@ttrpg.network 7 points 7 hours ago

Usually a brief "I just read/played/watched such-and-such"

If they know it, we can chat about it. If they don't, and they're interested, we can chat about it. Otherwise, the conversation moves on and the social rite is concluded successfully.

[–] jenesaisquoi@feddit.org 2 points 5 hours ago

I tell the truth. Nothing. I don't care to expend the energy to make up an excuse.

[–] indepndnt@lemmy.world 4 points 7 hours ago

This reminds me of the time that I learned that the correct answer to "what's up?" is "what's up?" At least in the context of that one coworker who would say that to me as we were walking past each other.

I've since learned to recognize these things as a "bid for connection". It generally has little to do with the content of the question or the answer and everything to do with relating.

So basically there is no wrong answer. And there are lots of good examples in this thread!

Personally I tend to answer "not much" as a knee-jerk reaction, but sometimes I'll remember to say something else after that.

[–] dubyakay@lemmy.ca 5 points 9 hours ago

"I'm a normal user of sidewalks."

[–] Diplomjodler3@lemmy.world 11 points 12 hours ago

I'm functioning within normal parameters.

[–] Mediocre_Bard@lemmy.world 2 points 8 hours ago

In general, switch the question to, "What's new in the world?"

[–] oppy1984@lemm.ee 11 points 14 hours ago (1 children)

The court order was very clear that I am not allowed to discuss that. How about you? Anything new?

[–] CheeseToastie@lazysoci.al 3 points 8 hours ago* (last edited 8 hours ago) (1 children)

This wins the thread !lemmysilver

[–] oppy1984@lemm.ee 1 points 2 hours ago

Thank you, thank you. I'd like to dedicate this award to all the antisocial people out there who just want to be left alone.

[–] Opinionhaver@feddit.uk 11 points 15 hours ago

"Nothing's new - same old"

[–] kinther@lemmy.world 20 points 18 hours ago (1 children)

The cosmic horrors persist, but so do I

[–] Diplomjodler3@lemmy.world 2 points 12 hours ago (1 children)
[–] kinther@lemmy.world 1 points 8 hours ago

I stole it from somewhere else, so seems only fair

[–] janus2@lemmy.zip 3 points 12 hours ago* (last edited 12 hours ago)

"just the time and date and some cells in my hair follicles"

[–] half@lemy.lol 100 points 1 day ago (6 children)

I am autistic, which you probably could have just derived from the rest of this comment. Questions like these are so terrifying to me. So I always have a fun fact on hand.

"What's new?"

"I just learned that only female cats have a calico pattern!"

Then you can talk about cats instead of your life.

[–] sirimeow@lemmy.world 29 points 1 day ago

That's a great idea honestly. I'd love it if more people gave replies like that.

[–] AFKBRBChocolate@lemmy.world 6 points 21 hours ago

It's not an absolute rule, but it's true in the vast majority of cases. The coloring is on the X chromosome, and males usually have only one, but some males with have an extra X chromosome (XXY) and those can be calico. It's rare.

[–] illi@lemm.ee 17 points 1 day ago

That's quite ingenious actually

[–] liverbe@lemmy.world 14 points 1 day ago

Same with tortoiseshell coloring, and orange tabbies are usually male!

[–] EpeeGnome@lemm.ee 6 points 22 hours ago

You're right, that does sound particularly like something an autistic person would say. It's also something I'd be perfectly happy to hear and engage with.

[–] VitoRobles@lemmy.today 8 points 1 day ago

That's me too. And personally, I think you're my type of person to talk to.

[–] MoreFPSmorebetter@lemmy.zip 8 points 18 hours ago

"I am unfortunately still here" is my go-to. People seem to leave you alone if you joke about killing yourself.

[–] skulblaka@sh.itjust.works 39 points 1 day ago
[–] Rhynoplaz@lemmy.world 43 points 1 day ago

Something is always happening in your life.

What you really mean is "When you don't think that anyone would be interested in what's happening in your life."

If you've been absorbing media, tell us what you've been watching/reading/playing. If you have this encounter out in public, say where you're going now, or what you're looking forward to doing when that's done.

Hell, even if you've been laying in bed for a week and someone asks, say you've been catching up on some sleep.

There's always something, and as mundane as you think your answer might be, it'll be easier for them to continue the conversation on that one piece of information than saying "you know, same old".

[–] RBWells@lemmy.world 8 points 20 hours ago

Nothing much, you?

[–] edgemaster72@lemmy.world 37 points 1 day ago

I usually go with "oh, same old same old" or "nothing fun" and try to divert back to something someone else talked about. But to be fair, I am a terrible conversationalist.

[–] TrojanRoomCoffeePot@lemmy.world 6 points 19 hours ago

"Livin' the dream."

[–] Diddlydee@feddit.uk 29 points 1 day ago (2 children)

It's not a real question that requires an answer. You say 'not much' or 'same old same old' and move on.

[–] tyler@programming.dev 25 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Lots of times it is a real question, especially if the other person cares about you at all.

[–] JollyBrancher@lemm.ee 3 points 18 hours ago

Yeahhh we're all weird at some level. But if it's someone you were at least somewhat close with, give them a least a couple deets! I moved around for a handful of years and it's easy to get caught up enough to forget JUST how long it's been. It's part of being human. No shame in it.

[–] otp@sh.itjust.works 11 points 23 hours ago

"But I haven't seen you in over a decade!"

I said, SAME. OLD!

[–] LavaPlanet@lemm.ee 15 points 1 day ago (1 children)

"you know, new day, same old, how about you?" think of it as a game of catch, throw the ball back, if you don't want to / or have a quick answer.

[–] EpeeGnome@lemm.ee 6 points 22 hours ago

"New toilet paper, same shit" is how an old boss of mine used to say it. Good for if you want to go clever yet crude.

[–] J52@lemmy.nz 8 points 21 hours ago

You know how at times no news are good news, I've only got good news.

[–] TranquilTurbulence@lemmy.zip 17 points 1 day ago

If it’s someone I haven’t seen in years, talking about the big picture should be interesting enough. You know, like where I live, what do I do for a living etc.

If it’s someone who definitely knows all that, I can mention something small but recent. Like, I just bought some weird carrot salsa, and it was surprisingly good.

[–] tonyn@lemmy.ml 16 points 1 day ago (1 children)

I'm partial to "the devil shits on the biggest pile"

If things are really bad it's just "living the dream"

[–] Dagwood222@lemm.ee 7 points 23 hours ago

Song lyrics are always fun.

"I'm another older and deeper in debt." [16 Tons]

"I'm tired of living and sacred of dying.'" [Old Man River]

"I'm a material girl..." [can't remember the title...]

[–] miss_demeanour@lemmy.dbzer0.com 10 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Tell them about the wicked fart you released yesterday.

Rectum? Damn near killed 'em!

[–] some_guy@lemmy.sdf.org 7 points 1 day ago

“Same old same old. You?”

[–] 0x01@lemmy.ml 7 points 1 day ago

Things do happen in your life, nobody lives in a vacuum. You are alive and are experiencing things every day including the stuff that's happening to all of us. Recent economic news, political drama, geopolitical events, etc are all fair game

I used to think nothing happened in my life then I started to keep a diary/journal and realized that a ton happens all the time!

[–] Buffalox@lemmy.world 5 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

I hate that kind of question, as if you are expected to live in the fast lane, and all sorts of things should have happened.
It's probably not meant that way, but it can feel that way. I'd probably answer something along the lines of: "Nothing dramatic. how about you?"

[–] VitoRobles@lemmy.today 5 points 1 day ago

I take a short breath and pull out my phone.

I notate when I last saw them.

I then pull out my document of every major event that occurred to me from point A to point B.

They look confused.

I comfort them.

I gently remind them that I'm on this ride with them. And if they didn't want to be informed, they shouldnt have asked.

I clear my throat, and start at the top of the list.

[–] dwindling7373@feddit.it 5 points 1 day ago (1 children)
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[–] ininewcrow@lemmy.ca 4 points 1 day ago

You start groping yourself ... touch your chest, your face, your arms, reach around to you back, touch your shoulders

HEY! .... I'M STILL ALIVE!!!

[–] Little8Lost@lemmy.world 3 points 1 day ago

in case of catching up with friends: "just recently a few minutes ago i meet a friend and am really happy about it and i think its going to be amazing" maybe

could be cringe tho

[–] capc8m@lemmy.world 1 points 1 day ago

Living one day at a time

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