Here’s a conversation that I recently had with my husband:
I have a theory.
Ok.
Do you want to know what it is?
No, Marinka, I really don’t.
Funny. I’ll tell you. I have a theory that when people say “have a nice day” they’re really thinking “fuck you.”
That’s quite a theory.
I know, I’m very proud of it.
It doesn’t make sense, but theories don’t have to.
Yes, it does make sense. Because if you’re having a fight with someone on the message board they’ll often end their rant with “have a nice day” and you know they’re thinking “fuck you.”
Somehow I manage to get through my day without getting into “message board” fights.
You’re a lucky man.
I don’t waste my time on bullshit.
Do you ever say have a nice day to anyone?
No.
So why would someone say it?
Because people don’t know how to end a conversation. It’s just something to say.
Don’t you think it’s weird? Why can’t they just say “this conversation now seems to be over.”
That’s basically what it means. It’s another way of saying goodbye.
I think you’re wrong.
I don’t think so.
I do.
Have a nice day, Marinka.
One year ago ...
- Heeeere's Wendi! - 2011
{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }
Twitter: pgoodness
February 16, 2012 at 8:26 pm
Totally agree with you. I know I’ve certainly used it in the Fuck you manner!
Oh, this made me laugh.
Do you know how my mother would end a conversation?
I’m still mortified at the memory:
“Had a nice day!”
She just couldn’t hear the difference. She’d tell our bright red faces: “What? I say what joo say– Had a nice day..like you say it. Just like eeet.”
You are totally right! They either use it in the “fuck you, conversation over” way or they use it in the way like ” I am saying have a nice day to prove that I am a better person than you”. But have a nice day never means have a nice day!
haha
could try this someday to my husband
‘hav a nice day’ (don’t mean that way..aha)
Of course that is what it means! Just like you say ‘have fun’ when you actually mean ‘die a slow and agonizing death from boredom’ when you tell someone who announces the’re of to a meeting ‘have fun’.
If you’re really slick you can work bye bye into buh bite me.
If you end your emails with “Have a wonderful day!” does it also mean fuck you? If so, I’ve been telling my boss to fuck herself for years. Dream achieved!
I hate when people tell me “have a nice day” or “enjoy your meal” – who needs that kind of pressure.
hee heee. too funny. loved this!
Twitter: byrnealaina
February 17, 2012 at 11:00 am
Ha. It’s just like “Bless her heart” which is actually calling her a dumbass.
LOL! This is what I thought of too but I always understood it to be “Aww, bless your heart (bitch)!”
Or in the case of my husband’s aunt, when talking to me, it means “you heathen yankee bitch – I wish you would hurry up and die so my nephew can marry a nice southern baptist girl”.
Potato potahto
Twitter: Jomoblogger
February 17, 2012 at 1:12 pm
This gives a whole new meaning to the Bon Jovi song…. Wait, maybe that IS what they’re trying to say?
Do people generally wish each other well or ill?
Twitter: marta28
February 17, 2012 at 10:35 pm
Haha. I will make sure to always tell my boss to have a nice day from now on.
What a hilarious ending!
I used to teach ESL and my European students especially would complain how Americans flippantly throw out greetings like this and don’t really mean it. I think it’s a cultural thing and is indeed closer to your interpreted meaning than most Americans would admit.
Have a nice day translation is total “fuck you.” Don’t you hate it when people ask you, “How’s it going?” or “How you doin’?” (if you’re from Long Island as I am) and they really don’t want you to answer the question? I always answer and get the strangest looks. Thanks for the post and the theory – I’m with you.