[BRussell]

Which one do you answer to the question: "How are you?"

"I am good." or "I am well."

[Kevin]

I usually answer with grumbling in the morning. Usually because people ask me that during the morning times.

[- - e r i k - -]

I'm good, how are you?

[- - e r i k - -]

Or "I'm OK" if I'm feeling crap, or "Spectacular!" if I am.

[Doofy]

Originally Posted by BRussell 

Which one do you answer to the question: "'(H)ow at?"

"Aight".

[RAILhead]

If you're asking seriously, the proper response would be "well" if you're answering about your overall well being. If you were felling, say, "naughty," then you could say "bad" in response.

Make sense?

[subego]

If they take the time to lose the contraction, I'll say "well".

The other question is do you then ask back?

I've been training myself for years to do this. Though it would seem to be a basic courtesy, people (especially service people) get totally thrown by it.

[dcmacdaddy]

It depends.
If I think they are inquiring about my health I reply with "Well".
If I think they are inquiring about my mood I reply with "Good" or "Fine".

(This applies only in more formal social interactions. In informal interactions with friends or family the response could be anything from a "Yup" to an "OK" to a "F^ck You!")

[ghporter]

"Moderately spiffy."

Actually it depends on who is asking. If it's someone I work with, "I'm well." (Assuming I am indeed feeling well.) If it's certain acquaintances of mine, "I'm good. REALLY good!"

I try to separate "I feel well" from "I feel good" most of the time. But in fact, I don't always answer the question truthfully-I often say "I'm well" even if I feel crappy.

[Cold Warrior]

how are you? "Good, OK, or Fine.
how are you doing? Well; Doing OK.

[Teronzhul]

Whoa-oa-oa! I feel good, I knew that I would, now
I feel good, I knew that I would, now
So good, so good, I got you

Whoa! I feel nice, like sugar and spice
I feel nice, like sugar and spice
So nice, so nice, I got you


(lyrics sites are sorely lacking in the "na na" factor)

[osiris]

I thrust my arms out and say "I'm super! Thanks for asking!"

The correct answer is "Good"

[ghporter]

Originally Posted by Teronzhul 

Whoa-oa-oa! I feel good, I knew that I would, now
I feel good, I knew that I would, now
So good, so good, I got you

Whoa! I feel nice, like sugar and spice
I feel nice, like sugar and spice
So nice, so nice, I got you


(lyrics sites are sorely lacking in the "na na" factor)

Your quote >>> my quote. Good job!

[OldManMac]

I'm well, thanks for asking, although I am also very damn good at what I do.

[Kevin]

I always loved in when I'd come to work at the local newspaper high, and the old lady receptionist would always say "You look tired..."

I would always play it off "Yeah didn't get a lot of sleep last night I guess.."

She eventually stopped making comments. Someone probably clued her in.

[Laminar]

I am always good.
My girlfriend is always well. I found that strange for a while, but I guess I'm used to it now.

[RAILhead]

No wonder we're going to Hades in a handbasket. The correct answer is WELL, like I said. If we were to assume the OP's question was more along the lines of "how are you feeling," then the answer would be "good" because I'm describing how I feel. As far as how I am, though, I am well.

Now, if I want to be a smartass and one of my buddies asks how I feel, I might say "ask you girlfriend" -- in this case I'm twisting his meaning and describing how I literally feel things with my senses.

[Dakarʒ]

"I feel well" always seemed like a declaration of solely physical health to me. When I get asked "How are you" it's usually an inquiry as to my mood or spirit. So if I'm in good spirits, I say "I'm good."

[Laminar]

Are you lying?

[Dakarʒ]

Wat

[Laminar]

About your mood or spirit.

[Dakarʒ]

That all depends on the level of friendship of the person who's asking. Merely polite inquiries meet with 'ok' and 'fine' or some type of unintelligible guttural sound.

[Kevin]

I have always wondered why people ask you how you are when it's obvious that you look like a big large truck full of poop ran you over. Or when you've been coughing or sneezing all day and they say "Are you sick?"

I usually answer "Yeah, but don't worry, it's only contagious to people who ask stupid questions"

[Railroader]

"Very well, thank you for asking. How are you?"

I am pretty formal about this. I think this is too often said instead of a simple "hello" or "hi", so if someone says "How are you" I answer as I stated above.

And if someone replies "good", I then reply with: "You mean you could not care less".*











*no, I don't.

[Dakarʒ]

Originally Posted by Railroader 

"Very well, thank you for asking. How are you?"

Christ, you sound like a 60 year old man.

[Kevin]

He does?

Rail you need to add some YOs and "what up diggity" to your comments I guess.

[Railroader]

Originally Posted by Dakarʒ 

Christ, you sound like a 60 year old man.

GET OFF MY LAWN KID!

[Dakarʒ]

Make sure you're in your boxers, a bathrobe, and slippers. Shake your fist, or a mop at them.

[OldManMac]

Originally Posted by Dakarʒ 

Christ, you sound like a 60 year old man.

I resemble that remark. Courtesy is tough when one is self centered.

[mindwaves]

It depends in what context. Example:

Good versus Well

In both casual speech and formal writing, we frequently have to choose between the adjective good and the adverb well. With most verbs, there is no contest: when modifying a verb, use the adverb.
He swims well.
He knows only too well who the murderer is.
However, when using a linking verb or a verb that has to do with the five human senses, you want to use the adjective instead.
How are you? I'm feeling good, thank you.
After a bath, the baby smells so good.
Even after my careful paint job, this room doesn't look good.
Many careful writers, however, will use well after linking verbs relating to health, and this is perfectly all right. In fact, to say that you are good or that you feel good usually implies not only that you're OK physically but also that your spirits are high.
"How are you?"
"I am well, thank you."

I originally discovered it in the BluueBook Grammar Online site, but could not find it atm so I found another example here: Adjectives

[Dakarʒ]

Originally Posted by OldManMac 

I resemble that remark. Courtesy is tough when one is self centered.

It's not the courtesy that bothers me, its the formality.

Also, grow a set and tell me you think I'm self-centered instead of implying it.

[osiris]

Good done, mindwaves, good done.

[Railroader]

He done did good.

[design219]

My dad used to say "fair to middlin."

I always thought that was odd.

[Dakarʒ]

Originally Posted by design219 

My dad used to say "fair to middlin."

I always thought that was odd.

He was probably wisely trying to dodge this debate.

[BRussell]

The reason I asked is that recently I've heard people use "well" in a way that strikes me as incorrect. I know that people use the adjective good when they should use the adverb well, like "How are you doing," "I'm doing good."

But I've had this suspicion that sometimes people use "well" incorrectly when they're trying too hard. It's the same thing where people try to sound snobby by over-using 'I' when they should use 'me:' "He gave it to you and I."

But I don't know, maybe I'm wrong and "good" is always wrong in that context, and I'm the ungrammatical loser.

[BlueSky]

Originally Posted by Dakarʒ 

It's not the courtesy that bothers me, its the formality.

Also, grow a set and tell me you think I'm self-centered instead of implying it.

I don't think he was implying, he was probably using the formal variation.

[Dakarʒ]

Living up to his name, then.

[zro]

Good, fine, or OK.

[adamfishercox]

I say "Doing good" which is like the worst-grammar way to say it, but that's kind of why I say it

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by Dakarʒ 

Also, grow a set and tell me you think I'm self-centered instead of implying it.

Now call him a fag and spit in his face, and your journey to the Dark Side will be complete!

[Dakarʒ]

Yeah, because I actually call people fags.

[Kevin]

Telling someone to "grow a set" usually goes hand in hand with calling someone a "fag" or telling them they are "pussies"

All three are meant to attack a male's "manhood"

Not that it's really relevant as the post was meant to be humorous.

Now laugh dammit.

[Dakarʒ]

Originally Posted by Kevin 

Telling someone to "grow a set" usually goes hand in hand with calling someone a "fag" or telling them they are "pussies"

Not exactly something I'm known for, is it? It seemed appropriate given the passive-aggressive nature of his post.

Originally Posted by Kevin 

Not that it's really relevant as the post was meant to be humorous.

I hope you weren't trying to belittle me.

[Shaddim]

"Well enough, thanks. How're you?"

[Laminar]

*Takes shelter in fear of the oncoming storm*

[Railroader]

I am a little frightened.

[Chuckit]

Originally Posted by Railroader 

"Very well, thank you for asking. How are you?"

Ditto. I am a 60-year-old man.

[adamfishercox]

Originally Posted by Dakarʒ 

I hope you weren't trying to belittle me.

Continue camera shot on Dakar's face, zooming in ever so slowly.

[KEVIN checkles in background]

Dakar (under his breath): I hope you weren't.

Music crescendo. Camera continues to close in on Dakar. Dakar Smiles Slightly.

Fade to black

[Railroader]

Originally Posted by Chuckit 

Ditto. I am a 60-year-old man.

I consider it a generous compliment to be called a 60 year-old man.