I loathe myself (The Office Hello)

Welcome to the first real post, and one that concerns a topic that is near and dear to my heart, my constant living in a shame spiral.

Today's reason for hating myself goes is: the office hello.

When I walk into my office in the morning, walk down the hall to the bathroom, or just wander the building meeting with various people, I usually always see people I know.

And the exchange goes like this. I walk up, give a cursory "Hello"/"Good morning"/acknowledgment nod, and continue my walk. If I'm lucky, the person will give a hello, or a good morning back, and I've completed my duty, being polite to the people who happen to spend their 40+ hours per week in the same geographic location as myself.

So how often do you think that happens? Try once every 100 times I say hello.

Usually I give my hello, and the other person says "How are you?" And here's where it gets thick.

Often times I am in mid-stride, and if its in the morning, I am always late, so the stride is a rapid one. So when I respond to "How are you?", I usually only have time for a quick "Good" before I am out of range.

Approximately five seconds after the "Good" leaves my mouth, the hatred of myself begins.

Should I have said, "Good, you?"

Am I being a prick, because they took the time to ask me how I am?

Do they not even notice, and its just me that thinks that they do?

Or does everyone secretly talk about that prick who never asks how anyone is?

Not that I really care, but it's something to ponder.