‹ BackHN Continuity

Thread

Don't Just Say Hello

77 points · 55 comments · ninju

  1. m2f2 · · focus · HN ↗
    Hi is a shorthand for "can you talk" or "are you on screensharing" or "is there anyone looking over your shoulder" or such things

    It's not definitely a sign that I'm actually interested in greeting you, or asking about your migraine.

    Just something like "how do you do" which is a total nonsense either, so this discussion is moot.

    1. beart · · focus · HN ↗
      Hmm, Except most chat applications have an indicator that already answers all those questions in the basic sense. When I set myself as "in a meeting" or "busy", it means... just that. "hey I see you are busy, are you available?" doesn't make a lot of sense.

      Furthermore, I can't actually answer in the shorthand, because I don't know anything about it. "can you talk?" - for how long? about what? with who? I have no idea how to respond to you.

      Please, just tell me what you want - "Hi, wondering if you have 5 minutes to chat about <topic>?".

Open on Hacker News to reply ↗

Unofficial Hacker News client; not affiliated with Y Combinator.