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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:
Original poster
mariposa1998 · 11/07/2025 20:44

AnotherEmily · 11/07/2025 19:43

Why do you think people don’t mean it?! I like talking to people I haven’t seen for a while. Which is usually when I say it.

Is it something you should only say to someone you haven't seen in a while? I've heard it said when the people literally saw each other two days ago....

OP posts:
Original poster
mariposa1998 · 11/07/2025 20:42

DiscoBob · 11/07/2025 19:49

I have a neighbour mumbles that while staring at the floor and walking away from me practically breaking into a canter. And shunning even minimal chit chat.
That's after his attempt to just fully blank me failed.

I always feel like responding with 'Well, you've got a funny way of showing it sunshine!'

And before anyone asks no I'm not stalking him! 🤣

Haha he sounds quite odd/eccentric? Or maybe he is on the spectrum (I am not calling people with ASD odd)?

OP posts:
Original poster
mariposa1998 · 11/07/2025 20:39

cyvguhb · 11/07/2025 19:45

Why do you think people dont mean it? I can't say that it's something that's even registered with me, what are the circumstances that it's said to you a lot?

It isn't said to me a lot, most of the people I see on a daily basis are people I always see (my family and housemates, colleagues).

OP posts:
LeavesTrees · 11/07/2025 20:38

I say it to people when I’ve enjoyed the chat, I’ve also never said it just for the sake of it.

Original poster
mariposa1998 · 11/07/2025 20:37

Nicebush · 11/07/2025 20:27

I only ever say that to people when I am genuinely happy to see them.

That's good, I think it's fine to say it in those cases. I just dislike when people say it and it's insincere, and they really think, 'oh no not you' 😅

OP posts:
Original poster
mariposa1998 · 11/07/2025 20:35

tilypu · 11/07/2025 19:44

I hope you aren't one of my former colleagues. I was in my old workplace today and said it a few times - genuinely meant it every time. I don't say it if I don't mean it.

Haha no, I haven't been in work today!

OP posts:
Nicebush · 11/07/2025 20:27

I only ever say that to people when I am genuinely happy to see them.

Original poster
mariposa1998 · 11/07/2025 20:26

queenofthesuburbs · 11/07/2025 20:25

You beat me to it Brucie!

Show quote history

I don't and never did watch Strictly Come Dancing, but I have heard of Bruce Forsyth and his catchphrase....

OP posts:
Arlanymor · 11/07/2025 20:26

mariposa1998 · 11/07/2025 20:24

I've heard it said more when people are parting....but I think you can say it both ways.

Show quote history

When leaving I tend to say: “See you soon” if I will, or “Take care” if it’s less likely. But as you say, people can say it in either direction.

Original poster
mariposa1998 · 11/07/2025 20:26

StrikeForever · 11/07/2025 19:56

You already know the answer to your own question. You said you know “it’s politeness and a pleasentry”. There is enough nastiness in this world without objecting to people being pleasent when greeting someone. There is no reason to assume it’s insincere 🙄

Of course there's no need (and nobody should) be nasty or unpleasant, but I don't like when people pretend to be nice/like someone when it's insincere. I think some people say, 'nice to see you', when they're really thinking, 'oh God, not f@cking you again!', in their minds, and hope they never see you again 😂

OP posts:
Emotionalsupporthamster · 11/07/2025 20:25

Maybe they actually do think it was nice to see you?

queenofthesuburbs · 11/07/2025 20:25

Aintgointogoa · 11/07/2025 19:46

It's so they can reply "To see you, nice" ! But that will probably go over most people's heads now...

You beat me to it Brucie!

Original poster
mariposa1998 · 11/07/2025 20:24

AnotherEmily · 11/07/2025 19:43

Why do you think people don’t mean it?! I like talking to people I haven’t seen for a while. Which is usually when I say it.

Some people have said it to me when they literally saw me two days before....

OP posts:
Original poster
mariposa1998 · 11/07/2025 20:24

Arlanymor · 11/07/2025 19:41

I usually say it at the beginning of bumping into someone and always only when I mean it is genuinely nice to see someone.

I've heard it said more when people are parting....but I think you can say it both ways.

OP posts:
StrikeForever · 11/07/2025 19:56

You already know the answer to your own question. You said you know “it’s politeness and a pleasentry”. There is enough nastiness in this world without objecting to people being pleasent when greeting someone. There is no reason to assume it’s insincere 🙄

alexdgr8 · 11/07/2025 19:54

I think you need to explain yourself OP.

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!

ArcticBells · 11/07/2025 19:51

Speak for yourself, the rest of us are polite

foreverand · 11/07/2025 19:50

Most exchanges are meaningless. When you meet someone you say nice to meet you even if it isn’t particularly nice, you say have a good day even if you don’t care what kind of day they have or how they are when you don’t care etc

StrawberryCranberry · 11/07/2025 19:49

Honestly OP, if you can get offended by this you really can get offended by anything!

DiscoBob · 11/07/2025 19:49

I have a neighbour mumbles that while staring at the floor and walking away from me practically breaking into a canter. And shunning even minimal chit chat.
That's after his attempt to just fully blank me failed.

I always feel like responding with 'Well, you've got a funny way of showing it sunshine!'

And before anyone asks no I'm not stalking him! 🤣

Goody2ShoesAndTheFilthyBeast · 11/07/2025 19:47

It's not meaningless.
The meaning is the social bonding / interaction thing. There are lots of social rules and 'meaningless' exchanges. eg saying bless you when someone sneezes. The point of it is that we all have to live together and interact and these social rules help with that.

Dogs sniff each other's arseholes, we say bless you and nice to see you.

Britneyfan · 11/07/2025 19:46

I also mean it when I say this to people!!

Aintgointogoa · 11/07/2025 19:46

It's so they can reply "To see you, nice" ! But that will probably go over most people's heads now...

cyvguhb · 11/07/2025 19:45

Why do you think people dont mean it? I can't say that it's something that's even registered with me, what are the circumstances that it's said to you a lot?