Empty phrases don't help: Are you okay? Or is it all undemanding?

To be honest, I don't even know when it started when everything suddenly went well.

You could ask banal questions from the situation or deep questions that used to lead to a long conversation.

The answer had been the same for a few years.

// “Should I help with the carrying?”

“Do you need

some more salt?”

“Sorry that I'm late again.”

“I hope he does Text was okay? ”

“ How was it with your parents? ”

//

It is no different in the USA.

You keep saying “All good” or “Everything's okay”, which is about as arbitrary as a wall tattoo next to the coffee machine.

50,000 photos are running on Instagram under the hashtag #allesgut.

It becomes evident that a) animals, b) nature, and c) alcohol and food can contribute greatly to individual wellbeing.

The linguist Roland Kaehlbrandt listed "Alles gut" in a text for the FAZ five years ago alongside other slang phrases such as "Was geht?" As part of a new everyday language economy in German, as a "mini dialogue in every situation".

Complexity reduction is the new thing.

It must have been a long time since German was a nested and claused language.

Does this phrase still fit the time?

Where does the inflationary use of a statement come from that depicts a level of satisfaction that I only achieve myself when I have no appointments and easily sit down? Are they really all as balanced and motivated as they are doing? Is it because of the increasing sales of CBD oil? Or is this polite gesture just: altruistic? When you refuse a gripping hand shortly before the hernia. Or is ashamed to snub the hostess about her bland risotto. “All good” is neither yes nor no. “Everything is good” is communication in a minor key. It is because of the sound of this answer. “Alles gut” has no ups and downs. “Alles gut” is flexible, downright leisurely.

Does this phrase still fit into our crisis-ridden times? The pandemic at the latest has shown the grievances: Mothers are (still) more tired. Medical staff and nursing staff are (even) more overloaded. Lonely ones are (even) more lonely. All is not well. Or maybe you're just too tired to make a fuss about it. Maybe other worries dominate, more existential than risotto. Or maybe that's typically German: discipline, perseverance, humility - and that you don't want to admit weaknesses. Almans are good at enduring. “We can do it!” If “all good” were not a phrase but a sport, it would probably be yin yoga. It tweaks. Remaining in that position is exhausting to tear. But somehow you can endure it - like in the grand coalition.

Why not be honest Also allowed to complain. Take the time to answer and listen. Say when “everything is not good”. Point out political and social grievances. Frankly to say if the ordered food does not meet the expectations. Claim a nasty banana bread for 4.20 euros. To ask for help. Admit mistakes. Complain sometimes to get out of the situation more easily in the end. After all, at some point it becomes implausible if “everything is always good”. When the phrase becomes an anti-phrase like an inflatable flamingo in a sea full of microplastics. So please, more depth, more truthfulness! Get out of the passive perfect. Empty phrases do not help, even if they are well-intentioned. Then everything will really be fine in the end.