Had this same conversation three dozen times now while waiting in line to get food:

• Me: Hey. How’s it going?
• Them: Good. Staying busy.
• Me: Oh. Good.
• Them: How ’bout you? Busy?
• Me: Um, yeah.
• Them: Good.
• –pause for food–
• Me: Okay, well, good seeing you.
• Them: Yeah. You too.

I can have this conversation with my eyes shut now. Practice makes perfect and all. When I don’t lead it off, though, it can all go to hell. Like today:

• Them: Hey. How’s it going?
• Me: Oh hey. Good. It’s going well. I guess we’re busy. So, that’s good. I guess. Right? How about you? Busy?
• Them: Um, not really. Things aren’t going real well at work now that you mention it.
• Me: Oh. Shit.
• –pause for food–
• Me: Well, good seeing you.

Time to separate good and busy. (Especially when talking to people I barely know.)