How are you?

I have been in situations when someone asks me, “How are you?” but it has felt more like a formality than a heartfelt question.

Even before I could properly answer, they are quick to move on to what they need to say, or start talking about themselves.

I realized this after reading something about it. Until then, I’m sure I might have done the same with others sometimes without even being aware of it.

This is something that really stayed with me from the COVID times.

In this day and age, when everyone is so busy with their phones and their own lives, how often do we actually stop, look at someone, and really listen to what they are saying especially after asking them, “How are you?”