They want you to small-talk with them, by gossiping, talking about what's "on your mind", or generally otherwise babbling about something "appropriate" for small-talk. Your response is probably seen as something quite unexpected and possibly impolite, but is a good way to avoid having to engage in mindless chatter.
I always find that question bothersome because where I am from 'what's up' means that something is wrong with the person, the same as saying 'what is wrong' (such as when someone is crying).
People say it to me online sometimes, I never knew what to say, so now I just say 'ok'.
Of course, the perfect response to "what's up" is "the ceiling".
Boom and if you will, boom.
It's a bird, no it's a plane, no it's a balloon. Up, up and awayay in my beautiful balloon.
I use "the ceiling, the sky, the birds, the sun, the clouds" or whatever else thats litteraly up that comes to mind as an on going joke with someone I know when they ask me and think its funny too.
I say what's up? all the time. I guess the best way to explain it, is what's up? is the same as How's it goin'? if that helps.
I always find that question bothersome because where I am from 'what's up' means that something is wrong with the person, the same as saying 'what is wrong' (such as when someone is crying)..
I usually ask "what's up?" when someone is upset (in the context you described), or angry at another person, rarely, if not never, for "how's it going"
Here it can mean:
Whats wrong?
What's going on?
What's on your mind?
What brings you here?
What's new since we last talked/chatted?
Is there anything interesting happening?
What are you doing now?
What are you going to be doing?
Are you doing anything interesting?
Are you doing anything interesting soon?
Are you busy or are you available? Because theres something I want or need from you.
Has anything exciting happend or going to happen soon?
and the list goes on...
That's the thing, it isn't complex. What's up? Comes from Rap culture, where most of the paricipants don't have the linguistic skills to say "how are you going" or "Is everything alright'. So this is a basic caveman-esque grunt they can use, in place of phrases that are difficult for them to say.
Calling all aspies you have met an insulting swearword seems very odd coming from someone who seems to be claiming to be an aspie themselves. Are you in fact an aspie or is your name just expressing hatred of aspies?
That's the thing, it isn't complex. What's up? Comes from Rap culture, where most of the paricipants don't have the linguistic skills to say "how are you going" or "Is everything alright'. So this is a basic caveman-esque grunt they can use, in place of phrases that are difficult for them to say.
I'm not a big fan or anything, mainly because I can't understand the lyrics of rap in English. BUT I think it's important to point out that the origins of rap were in linguistic inventiveness and clever rhymes and how to make social commentary through innovative phrasing.
I know it got stupid and ugly and all about sex/bling/killing/etc. but it used to be the opposite of what you have said.
On another note, some kids near our house saluted us with "...'sup?" as we drove by. My husband, having with effort learned to pronounce "wazzup" convincingly, at first responded with confusion and then later said to me "but that's not fair, it's cheating, they left out all but the last syllable!"
They want you to small-talk with them, by gossiping, talking about what's "on your mind", or generally otherwise babbling about something "appropriate" for small-talk. Your response is probably seen as something quite unexpected and possibly impolite, but is a good way to avoid having to engage in mindless chatter.
Nice way to put it.
"ahumanbeing", I think that is good advice for all the rest of us human beings, not just the NTs.
Depending on the situation, like if you're passing in the hallway and aren't stopping to turn and talk to each other, the \"what's up?\" is essentially a non-question question greeting. It's equivalent to \"Hey\" or the more formal \"Hello\".
As others have said, you can return with a \"Nothing much, what's up with you?\" for those times where you're actually stopping to talk with the person and begin to engage in brief conversation.
Or if it's just a greeting in passing, a nod of the head and a \"Hey\" back is adequate as well.
Basically, it's a question not to be answered and requires no more information-giving other than would your standard \"hello\". In most passing situations, it is used synonymously as a hello.
As others have said, you can return with a "Nothing much, what's up with you?" for those times where you're actually stopping to talk with the person and begin to engage in brief conversation.
Or if it's just a greeting in passing, a nod of the head and a "Hey" back is adequate as well.
Or "Namuch. You?"
Hehe, a grunt and a nod is adequate at times, too, so I've found. :smile: