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

[mariposa1998]

.....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?

I don't know why that's insincere. Maybe they mean it? I've said it before and meant it!

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

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.

I think it’s more sincere than the “hi how are you” bollocks

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.

YABU. I say this regularly to other parents of school friends of my children after meeting socially (either accidentally or intentionally). I really do mean it, it really was nice to see them and have a bit of time to have a chat with someone I like.

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

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

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.

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

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! 🤣

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

Speak for yourself, the rest of us are polite

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!

I think you need to explain yourself OP.

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 🙄

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

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

You beat me to it Brucie!

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

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 😂

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.

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