Celtic, what a wonderful way to steer the conversation to the positive! "So has anything nice happened to you lately?" Love it! I think I'll use it on my mother!

Di, sometimes that question "How are you?" is asked as a matter of habit and no one really wants to hear your troubles. Or sometimes people just respond with a quick 'fine' to get beyond the question and on to other things.

And I do think that many people are so wrapped up in their own issues that they don't care, or think about, what's happening with others. You actually are providing them a nice service of listening - - maybe no one else has asked them and then listened like you do, so they take advantage of that opportunity.

Di, How are YOU? smile