Does everyone use the phrase " How was your weekend" as a common question on Mondays?

Question

Sorry, I'm not American and in my country people usually don't use that, so is it common in the US to ask that question. Is it just being polite or only people really interested ask it?

Answer 1

When I ask I'm interested in the persons weekend.

Answer 2

Sometimes co-workers are just being polite, some are interested in you and just want to start off the week with a positive tone.

The insincere askers keep on moving and never make eye contact. They are just going through the motions. If they stop you and smile, they are waiting for a response. It is best not to cut it short by a pat answer, i.e. "fine, how was yours?

That is just being polite back.

You might want to share something you did different, special or how you felt on Saturday night, or at church on Sunday or even about your family events that occured over the weekend.

If you make it interesting to them, you will find them sharing interesting events with you in return. If not, you may motivate them to get on with a more interesting life after Friday at 5:00!

Make it a great week!

Answer 3

A lot of polite chatter has no real reason other then friendliness.Weekends people don't work and so people are asking how they spent their leisure time

Answer 4

Yeah it's pretty common. That or "Did you have a good weekend" -- that one narrows the answer down usually to a simple yes or no. It's a polite thing and an interested thing. How was your weekend sounds more interested and did you have a good weekend sounds more like you're asking because it's polite. Both are small talk and are found only in America :D

Answer 5

Yes it is common, and most people are genuine in knowing how you were that weekend and if you had a good weekend. Plus it's also another way to start up a conversation.  :-)

Answer 6

Its quite common. People are really interested in so far as you may provide a distraction from their mind numbing job for a minute or two.  Humor them, it's only polite.