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Original poster

To ask why people say, 'nice to see you'....?

107 replies

mariposa1998 · 11/07/2025 19:38

.....when it's just meaningless waffle and they might not even care/didn't want to see you?

I know that it's politeness and a pleasantry, but I just find it insincere and silly. I'd rather just say bye. Maybe I'm just projecting?

OP posts:
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Original poster
mariposa1998 · 13/07/2025 21:13

@EmeraldRoulette Of course there are many people who genuinely are pleased to see each other. I don’t intend this thread to be misanthropic, it’s really just about those instances where someone isn’t pleased to see someone, and is in fact the complete opposite… as a few posters on this thread have explained with their anecdotes.

OP posts:
EmeraldRoulette · 13/07/2025 20:22

mariposa1998 · 11/07/2025 21:11

Yes exactly!! 😂

"Nice to see you...."

(2 minutes later, the person is out of ear shot) "oh not f@cking her again" 😂

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I'm also totally baffled while you would think this

Sadly (for me) I think this has gone out of fashion a bit, but I used to work in a place that was quite affectionate, between female colleagues at least. We saw each other every freaking day but it was totally normal to hug goodbye. Or even hello.

If I was rushing in in the morning, which I often was, I used to take the side entrance up to my office. If I didn't, then I would get delayed by so many people who just wanted to chat about whatever they had done last night.

I happen to know that that place isn't like that anymore but generally, I think the world isn't like that anymore. And I think that's a shame. It's not quite the same as saying "nice to see you" but I think it probably conveys the same sentiment. There are definitely people who you are pleased to see. Even if you did see them the day before.

Is this just another "misanthropy MN" thing?

Dogaredabomb · 13/07/2025 20:14

mariposa1998 · 13/07/2025 18:46

I think just ‘see you’ or ‘see you soon’ are most common.

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But I wasn't going to. Ever.

Original poster
mariposa1998 · 13/07/2025 19:25

TorroFerney · 13/07/2025 18:50

Snap, I’m truthful when I say it. Op is it one person specifically ?

but also a bit of polite chit chat isn’t that awful is it?

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Saying ‘nice to see you’ isn’t polite chit chat if it’s insincere and two faced though?

Nothing wrong with polite chit chat but that’s not what I’m talking about here.

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Original poster
mariposa1998 · 13/07/2025 19:22

Hollowvoice · 13/07/2025 19:08

I literally just sent a message saying "nice to see you today"
Because it WAS nice to see them today

Well good for you if it was, but I’m talking about instances of people using it in a two-faced way… as some do.

OP posts:
Hollowvoice · 13/07/2025 19:08

I literally just sent a message saying "nice to see you today"
Because it WAS nice to see them today

TorroFerney · 13/07/2025 18:50

SoManyDandelions · 11/07/2025 19:51

I say it because I've enjoyed seeing the person and want to let them know! Why else would someone say it? I always mean it. I like people though, which seems rare on here sometimes!

Snap, I’m truthful when I say it. Op is it one person specifically ?

but also a bit of polite chit chat isn’t that awful is it?

Original poster
mariposa1998 · 13/07/2025 18:49

Courgettes85 · 13/07/2025 17:16

What bothers me is the people who say let's meet up soon when they don't mean it at all! Sometimes it's fine just to bump into someone, have a brief chat, enjoy it and accept that's as far as your relationship goes!

Some people might want to meet but never get round to arranging it….

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Original poster
mariposa1998 · 13/07/2025 18:48

Jacobs4 · 13/07/2025 17:15

Politeness is a sincere desire to be polite. The words themselves may, or may not, be taken literally. What should be honoured is the desire to be gentle and polite.

literal mindedness for must of us causes confusion, social lubrication is good for the nervous system.

True but we have a choice of polite phrases in English…. Some are less friendly and that’s sometimes more appropriate. We don’t need to be false and insincere with it.

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Original poster
mariposa1998 · 13/07/2025 18:46

Dogaredabomb · 13/07/2025 17:24

I was obligated to see someone who had caused me a lot grief for the final time. I searched for something not insincere. I settled on 'well...... goodbye'. It's quite difficult not to default to 'see you soon/later', 'nice to see you'.

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I think just ‘see you’ or ‘see you soon’ are most common.

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Dogaredabomb · 13/07/2025 17:24

BallerinaRadio · 11/07/2025 20:52

Yeah because what this world needs is more rudeness and ignorance.

When I'm saying bye to someone I always make sure I tell them to fuck off and I didn't enjoy seeing them at all. It's much better.

I was obligated to see someone who had caused me a lot grief for the final time. I searched for something not insincere. I settled on 'well...... goodbye'. It's quite difficult not to default to 'see you soon/later', 'nice to see you'.

Courgettes85 · 13/07/2025 17:16

What bothers me is the people who say let's meet up soon when they don't mean it at all! Sometimes it's fine just to bump into someone, have a brief chat, enjoy it and accept that's as far as your relationship goes!

Jacobs4 · 13/07/2025 17:15

Politeness is a sincere desire to be polite. The words themselves may, or may not, be taken literally. What should be honoured is the desire to be gentle and polite.

literal mindedness for must of us causes confusion, social lubrication is good for the nervous system.

Courgettes85 · 13/07/2025 17:14

I say this often as I'm saying goodbye to someone and I mean it

Original poster
mariposa1998 · 13/07/2025 17:14

MrsEverest · 13/07/2025 12:42

I say it because I mean it.

That’s good but I don’t think everyone uses it that way.

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Original poster
mariposa1998 · 13/07/2025 17:10

Jamesblonde2 · 13/07/2025 12:51

Because they’re polite.

Well not really if you’re being insincere and didn’t actually want to see the person. You could say something polite but more neutral, ie ‘see you… bye… take care’.

OP posts:
Jamesblonde2 · 13/07/2025 12:51

Because they’re polite.

MrsEverest · 13/07/2025 12:42

I say it because I mean it.

Original poster
mariposa1998 · 13/07/2025 11:42

alexdgr8 · 11/07/2025 19:54

I think you need to explain yourself OP.

How do you mean?

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Original poster
mariposa1998 · 12/07/2025 21:38

Isittimeformynapyet · 11/07/2025 22:09

Well it wouldn't work on you, you're tuned in to it 😄

Anyway, it's been lovely chatting with you @mariposa1998, I'm up early tomorrow so I'm turning in now 🤗

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😂I wanted to laugh react but of course they've taken that away

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queenofthesuburbs · 12/07/2025 21:32

PiggieWig · 11/07/2025 22:12

And do the pose!

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Haha. Those were the days!

Original poster
mariposa1998 · 12/07/2025 17:16

Allthesnowallthetime · 11/07/2025 22:22

I say it when I have a feeling of pleasure/ enjoyment when I see someone. When I feel glad to see them.

I don't see how that's a problem.

It isn’t a problem when you genuinely do feel pleased to see the person

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Allthesnowallthetime · 11/07/2025 22:22

I say it when I have a feeling of pleasure/ enjoyment when I see someone. When I feel glad to see them.

I don't see how that's a problem.

TeenLifeMum · 11/07/2025 22:18

Life is busy. There’s lots of people I like but don’t have time to see properly so I value the moments I bump into them briefly and would genuinely feel it was nice to see them. Some people are two faced but others are nice 🤷🏻‍♀️

PiggieWig · 11/07/2025 22:12

queenofthesuburbs · 11/07/2025 20:25

You beat me to it Brucie!

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And do the pose!