Sa-wa-dee

It happened again. It happened once five times in a single day. I don’t like counting the frequency, but I can’t help it. As I was walking out of the Japanese restaurant in Ventura the young woman behind the cash register smiled at me and said it. “Have a good one!”

I know she and the increasing throngs of humanity using the phrase are well-intended, and even trying to be courteous, but it is difficult for me to refrain from replying sarcastically. Beside the first thought, which is to inquire exactly what it is that they wish me to have good, I am often tempted to respond with saying things such as, “Gee, thanks. I actually had a great one yesterday, but today doesn’t look too promising.”

Other options that have crossed my mind include “Well, sometimes having a bad one is better than not having one at all,” or, depending on who is murmuring the words: “Thanks! I’ve been having a good one so far, but you could make it even a better one!” Just in case you are reading this and you don’t know me well, you will know that you will never hear me say any of those things out loud, just thoughts that I confess have crossed my mind. In truth, my typical response is either “Thanks!” or “You too!” I always feel guilty saying the latter, because I am not sure what it is that I am wishing on the other person. She might end up having a good car accident.

I am not totally sinister; I do understand that the phrase has become popular probably because there are few good alternatives. “Goodbye” is so awfully formal; “see you later” is likely a lie, “have a good day” is stilted, “take care” is a bit too intimate. One that I hear from time to time that I used to dislike but have warmed up to is “have a blessed day.” You know that the person behind those words is probably a religious fanatic, but it’s a difficult phrase to wrap one’s tongue around, so I appreciate the effort. And frankly, as someone who believes in the power of blessing, I actually derive meaning from the sentiment. It’s certainly a whole lot more meaningful than having a good one, although you won’t hear me saying either of those phrases.

Now that I have given this more thought than it deserves, I do think that the next time someone utters the injunction to “have a good day” in my direction, I am going to smile and look them right in the eyes, and say, “I am going to try to do just that.” (I will not add, despite my devilish intention, “maybe I’ll have two!”)