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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Is this even rude?

28 replies

SquarePeggyLeggy · 25/12/2020 01:26

I think it’s very rude to respond to the question: “how are you?” With: “very busy”.
To me, I feel immediately shut down, like the person doesn’t want to be troubled with my contact and questions, or that they’re far more important than me because I have the time to ask after them. Aren’t we all busy? Busy is not an emotion, or a state of health, which is what the questions asks?
I’m coming off the back of having relatives visit for Christmas dinner (allowed where I live) after I’ve spent two days cooking and preparing, 40 minutes late, working on phones while I served up, and answering this to the dinner chat before leaving abruptly at the end. I was busy too! Cooking and cleaning for you sods. Is your busyness more important than mine?

OP posts:
SquarePeggyLeggy · 25/12/2020 01:58

Well that turned into a vent.

OP posts:
ApolloandDaphne · 25/12/2020 01:59

Maybe they were genuinely very busy. If they were responding to work things during Christmas dinner then it sounds like they were. What sort of job does the person do? I know my DH sometimes has to attend to work matters at very inconvenient times.

GroundAlmonds · 25/12/2020 02:01

It depends. On a lot of things. Is this person generally annoying you?

SquarePeggyLeggy · 25/12/2020 02:32

It isn’t even just one person. I’ve sent messages (rather than phone calls due to international time differences) to several loved ones. 90% of the time “busy” is how they are. It’s just such a shut down response. Like, I am busy and important, you’ve interrupted me with your pesky contact!
This person works for local government. It’s Christmas time. Emergency services personnel, fine! Medical professionals etc! Genuinely life and death important and busy. Regular job that’s just like most people’s? Pop your out of office on for 90mins at Christmas dinner. Talk to people who care enough to ask after you.
Maybe it’s me, maybe people are like: god, Peggy, get a life.

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SquarePeggyLeggy · 25/12/2020 02:35

I just feel instead of saying busy, just give a quick summary! Lots of projects at work, got a new dog, kids had a lot of end of year stuff, hasn’t this year been crap etc. It could be two sentences versus one...

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ThisTooShallPassHopefully · 25/12/2020 02:42

Well that is rude imo, over Christmas Dinner. Don't invite them again.

In general though, if I was asked that question and felt busy (which I often do) I would feel that I would bore the head off you by saying "kids had a lot of end of term stuff on, work is manic, dog is driving me bananas" etc.
And i would feel that the person I'm saying it all to, would be mentally rolling their eyes at me thinking "we're all busy, it doesn't make youbsoexial love". So I don't know how I would answer, actually I usually answer "I'm fine thanks, chasing my tail as always but nothing new, how are you?"

Peggy, how are you?

SquarePeggyLeggy · 25/12/2020 02:48

Haha, I guess I’m busy thanks for asking!

Grin

Longer answer is suffering burnout and a crushing feel my efforts are under appreciated! Not by all but by some.

How are you?

Maybe it’s the difference between how people view the question- just polite greeting or whether the person would actually like to hear what’s going on...

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ThisTooShallPassHopefully · 25/12/2020 03:10

Can you get any peace of mind from the fact that you have put effort in, you know the problem isn't with you? You've done your part, and they are the ones who, if they reflect, might feel a pang of not being good company or a good friend/relative.

With regard to feeling burnout, consoder what is worth your effort and eliminate what isn't. Eg I'm still up wrapping, (been too busy to wrap before now, you see) but my kids faces in the morning will make it worthwhile.

On the other hand, half our dinner tomorrow will be freezer to oven things like roast potatoes, Yorkshire, cos none of us feel the difference is worth the extra effort of making from scratch. My house isn't as clean as I'd like it to be, but its only me that notices. Try to think about what you need to do for your own benefit instead if living up to other peoples expectations.

I think a big factor in how people respond to the question "how are you?" is the tone and eye contact given when asking it. The words used are such a tiny part of communication, tone, expression, body language can carry as much weight as the words used. Equally, if someone made good eye contact and replied 'oh you know peggy, this time of year, I'm just so busy, like everyone else I guess", its very different to a crisp "im very busy". You haven't got any extra info from the answer but its not as dismissive. I'm cross on your behalf that you went to the effort of cooking for someone and they didn't have the manners to engage with you. If you'd like to cook dinner for me, I can tell you in minute detail what's keeping me busy. 😉

ThisTooShallPassHopefully · 25/12/2020 03:11

Apologies for typos, tired and heading to my bed now.

SquarePeggyLeggy · 25/12/2020 03:21

Have a lovely lunch! Freezer things are really good and nobody will know. That’s such a thoughtful response, thank you. Yes, you’re right. Other dinner guests did engage and appreciate, particularly immediate family, so that’s nice!

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SquarePeggyLeggy · 25/12/2020 03:22

And an appreciative well mannered guest such as yourself would be welcome at my table!

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katy1213 · 25/12/2020 03:42

They'll be even busier next year making their own Christmas dinner.

thosetalesofunexpected · 25/12/2020 04:43

Hi Op
In our society the word I am busy in the manner you say in Post.

The word I am Busy can often be code word,I am struggling/wrestling with emotional stuff going on in my life or emotional baggage .

To prevent /stem too much emotional baggage leakage.

For e.g
I can not say what I really feel as I don't want to come across as Whiny Needy,neurotic ,sad case,Emotional wreckwreck, etc.

Its only acceptable in our society to be emotional about certain stuff,and for only a very limited time period Only.

In our society Someone admitting /Saying they are struggling with any emotional difficulties can often be at risk of being Judged by whoever someone says this to.

In our society talking about emotional struggles/life stuff often still quite a taboo subject..

And can be in certain circles/situations talking about emotional stuff is akin to social/Career suicide to divulge about stuff like this frowned up its a weakness
A Taboo

Justa47 · 25/12/2020 04:47

@SquarePeggyLeggy

It’s is clearly saying you are important enough to reply too but “I don’t need your message now” that’s unless the very busy is not on it’s own. If they say more it’s different.

YayGlitter · 25/12/2020 04:51

It depends if its then followed up with an explanation once they arent busy.

Sometimes I give short answers like this, I'm a single mum, work full time, studying, my child has complex SEN and my mum is very ill, very busy to me usually means "sorry, I'd love to chat but everything is going a bit wrong right now and I don't have time to give a decent reply"

kayakingmum · 25/12/2020 04:57

Generally I feel when people say - How are you? The only response they want is -fine, thanks. I don't really like the question that much. I suppose it's a bit different when its asked when someone is visiting, rather than a work colleague or neighbour.

Sobeyondthehills · 25/12/2020 04:59

If you are bothered enough about it to do a MNs thread on it, maybe there is a reason they just answer with busy, you even say there are a few people that do it

coldwaterfeed · 25/12/2020 05:58

Why are you spending 2 days cooking and prepping for people who are too busy to make time for you?

Don’t have them over again.

Orcadianrythyms · 25/12/2020 06:11

What struck me was your comment that their job wasn't important!!!! You do understand that it's local government which keeps all the public services running? Refuse collection, schools, social workers, environmental health. I and my colleagues have had an incredibly stressful and busy year whilst also balancing our own personal issues.
I'm incredibly grateful and privileged to do my job and make a difference in a hundred ways that go unseen for my community but might gets annoying when that contribution is looked down on.

coldwaterfeed · 25/12/2020 06:16

What struck me was your comment that their job wasn't important!!!!

How were you struck by this @Orcadianrythyms when she didn’t even say this? Confused

sparticuscaticus · 25/12/2020 06:17

They'll be even busier next year making their own Christmas dinner.

Lol!

However, if this was over Xmas or Xmas Eve dinner whilst they played on phone before it started and you cooked in kitchen, that bit was rude!

However the 'very busy' comment could be read differently.
If you asked me and - I had been helping in kitchen and laying table as that's what I'd do- I might reply this "oh just silly busy" if I didn't want to bring mood down or think about he shitty busy week I'd had/ & didn't want to think about work or the tough stuff. But I would make small talk about the nice stuff and ask how life was like for you .

So without knowing what rest of their chatter was like, we can't assume. But you'll know.

There is possibility they felt stressed that day and struggled to fit in your meal before getting on with all the other things they still had to do, & didn't have much headspace, it's still a bit of an ungrateful comment if they didn't make ANY nice small talk.

SquarePeggyLeggy · 25/12/2020 06:23

Nobody said their job wasn’t important. Just that there are certain jobs where phones can’t be turned off (even during dinner at Christmas) and theirs, specifically theirs, isn’t one of those.

There are lots of important jobs, that’s the point, really, lots of people are busy and doing important work, but if someone asks, genuinely, how you are and reaches out like that, it can be nice to take a quick moment to actually connect.

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SquarePeggyLeggy · 25/12/2020 06:28

Might be to have not brought the mood down, the whole vibe was a bit off. That’s a good point. Everyone is a bit off all the time during these crazy times, I guess.

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tara66 · 25/12/2020 06:37

Didn't you complain about their very bad manners - checking on their phones during Xmas dinner? Extremely bad form.

Orcadianrythyms · 25/12/2020 07:52

You're quite right @coldwaterfeed it wasn't a quite but an inference. Merry Christmas