I fire back responses to most greetings because when people ask they generally don’t actually want to know. I think most people do. Just look at anyone who has ever said, “Enjoy your meal!” to which you respond, “You too!”

Was that person even eating a meal? Maybe they were your Waiter? Or someone at a Fast Food Restaurant….

The problem is, when I’m in a bad mood, I never let it show. I’ve always been one of those people who wishes he had some kind of dark side every once in a while. I mean, I believe I am plagued by what some girls call “bitchface” where I just look intimidating when I’m out in public. I unknowingly scowl and furrow my brow. I clench my teeth together and squint. But when someone talks to me I’m all smiles. I’m all upbeat. I’m the nicest guy in the world, because my problems are my own—they’re not yours.

I feel like it’d be a comfort, though, to be able to let someone else have a taste of my problems, though. A small piece they can take with them and I can let go of. A little sample to let off some steam on someone else, someone I’ll never see again in my life. I understand why people do it which is why I never got upset by rude customers when I worked at Safeway… why I never got upset when I work with anyone, really.

Empathy is a virtue, but sometimes—temporarily—I wish I had a little less.