A well-educated visitor to Adelaide might be surprised by the way the shop assistants here often greet customers. It is easy to mistake the greeting for an invitation to...
...a philosophical discussion, especially one on the topic of ontology.
When my presence is acknowledged when I need to purchase something in metropolitan Adelaide, or just want to browse around, I wonder whether I should express my opinions on the nature of being and the theories of existence. The greeting given/question most asked by the shop assistant is: How are you today?
It appears, though, that most shop assistants are unaware of the way their question may be interpreted, not only by tourists who have received an education in philosophical subjects, but by anyone who may be experiencing grief, depression or the recent news that they have a terminal illness. I do not currently fit into any of these categories but I have known many people who do.
The most frequent response of Adelaideans (at least those born and bred here) is "Good Thanks". Are these genuine responses, confusion with discourses on ethics rather than ontology, or uncomfortable reactions to perceived intrusions into their privacy?
Even members of the medical profession in Adelaide are known to ask their patients: "How are you today?" I would have thought the reason for going to a medical practitioner is for that person to find out, in a scientific way, how the patient might be. Perhaps medical training should include a course on ontology. The sound of the word "ontology" suggests that it should be a department in most hospitals.
Do Adelaide people lack philosophical sophistication? I have enough trouble saying philosophical sophistication, just as I sometimes mistake etymology for entomology, and ontology for oncology.
At least I rarely hear the common British greeting of "hiya" in Adelaide. I did in England when I was hoping to rent a car. My response was "Yes".
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