[P.]

Many times when I pass a black male coming my way, for example when I’m leaving the office and run into a black maintenance worker in the hallway, just when we are about to exchange a greeting, he often simply says the phrase ‘all right,’ even if I haven’t said anything yet. He might say this rather than say, for example, ‘hey’ or ‘take care’ or ‘g’night’ or ‘see ya.’ Why do they frequently just say ‘all right’?

User Detail :  

Name : P., Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Unity member, Age : 38, City : Jacksonville, State : FL, Country : United States, Occupation : Homemaker, Social class : Middle, 

[S.E.]

In the West Indies, in Jamaica, the phrase ‘all right’ could also mean ‘all is good,’ ‘all is well’ or ‘things are good.’ The man may simply be wishing you well by saying this to you when you have an encounter. It’s out of politeness and just another way of saying something like ‘what’s up?’

User Detail :  

Name : S.E., Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Age : 23, City : Bronx, State : NY, Country : United States, Education level : 4 Years of College, 

[Jennifer R.]

It depends on the way it’s said. If it’s said in a measured, neutral tone, it could just be an aknowledgment of your presence, that you know each other and that it’s not necessary to go through the usual formalities if you don’t want to. Not that such a greeting isn’t welcome, but just that you can ‘chill,’ everything’s copacetic, have a nice night, etc. If it’s said in a boisterous, upbeat way, it might be another way of saying: ‘My man! What’s up? How are you?’ Basically, pleasantries in shorthand. I would think that just saying ‘hey’ in response would be fine – not that you need to be told how to speak.

User Detail :  

Name : Jennifer R., Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : Black/African American, Religion : Humanist, Age : 29, City : Saint Paul, State : MN, Country : United States, Occupation : Writer/Student, Education level : 4 Years of College, Social class : Middle class, 

[Lee-Taylor]

It’s not anything to do with race; I’m a white englishman, and I ask people if they are alright all the time. It’s like saying hello, but kinder; it implies asking someone if they are okay. In most countries, people from different ethnic origins are segregated into different sub-cultures. It’s because people are seperated from one another that we develop different language.

User Detail :  

Name : Lee-Taylor, Gender : M, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Whoever I feel like loving, Age : 21, City : Gillingham, State : NA, Country : United Kingdom, Occupation : Sea cadet, Education level : Technical School, Social class : Middle class, 

[Author]

Posts