So I have always asked this question but a little digging revealed a lot.

The problem here is language and translation. When u 'directly' translate the phrase "How are you?" to our local languages, especially Igbo, Hausa and Yourba, they tend to mean like u are trying to offer help, not necessarily like you are asking after the persons well being.

a direct translation in these languages makes u sound like a helper or like the person u are asking is in a pitiful state, like sick or broke. I am igbo.. exmple "How are you? when directly translated in Igbo means "olee oto idi" this is a question u ask a sick person or a bereaved or someone who needs ur assistance, so an elder or someone doing good might find it insulting.... but the truth is that How are u, actually means 'kee quanu" but is not directly translated such.

The fact that the real meaning of 'how are u?' in our languages are not gotten when u directly translate them.

its just like asking why we are so used to saying "I am coming" when its a wrong English... this is basically because if u say "anam a bia" in igbo, it actually means "i will be right back" but when u directly translate anam a bia' to English you will get " I am coming"

pardon my local language spellings.

I havent seen a soul who find how are u insulting...

I tell my uncles and grandma's how are u guyishly and the respond guyishly

Vyzz:
I havent seen a soul who find how are u insulting...


I tell my uncles and grandma's how are u guyishly and the respond guyishly

Ya, that might depend on ur personality and ur relationship with them

CAPSLOCKED:
HOW ARE YOU HAS ALWAYS BEEN MY LANGUAGE. SAID IT TO FAMILY MEMBERS, UNIVERSITY PROFESSORS, PRIESTS, AND EVEN MILITARY PERSONNELS.
GUESS THE ONLY PERSON THAT EVER GOT OFFENDED AND THOUGHT I WAS BEING DISRESPECTFUL?
THE ILLITERATE ELDER THAT HAS GOT NOTHING GOING ON IN HIS LIFE BUT A SMALL FARMLAND, BUT WANTS THE WHOLE WORLD TO BOW AND "RESPECT" HIM BECAUSE OF HIS AGE AND TRADITIONS.

its not illiteracy per say... its translation