I was down at my local grocery store the other day to pick up some anti-fungal cream and a gallon of milk. When I was checking out the overly cheerful clerk gave me my change and said, “Have a good one.” This comment stopped me in my tracks and I turned back to the gentleman. “What? did you say?” I queried and he repeated his mantra, “Have a good one.” to which I responded, “Have a good what?” That’s the problem with people today.
They aren’t specific enough. That is why there are so many “misquotes” among politicians. People will say “Take it easy” while not making clear exactly “what” we should be taking easy. Do they mean: Take it easy on those sweets; take it easy on the road; take it easy until the stitches come out; take it easy with that compulsive gambling; or take it easy, that hurts. Nobody knows because the people who are wishing you “ease” won’t tell you.
The same holds true for “have a good one.” That’s too broad of a statement for me. If someone is wishing me well, I want to know exactly what they are wishing for. If you want me to have a good day, then simply say “Have a good day.” If you are wishing me agood week, say “Have a good week.” I don’t care what you are well-wishing me, but before I can accept your greeting, I need to know what it’s all about.
So please tell me what I should have that’s good. Tell me exactly, “Have a good day; Have a good week; Have a good fortnight; Have a good life; a good summer; a good holiday; good meal; a good bus ride; a good night’s sleep; have a good poop!” If you wish me well, let me know what kind of wellness to expect. That’s all I ask.
Well, I don’t have to tell you that the pencil-necked clerk looked at me like I was speaking Portuguese and eventually blurted out, “Have a good Thursday sir.” And I said “Thank you, that’s all I was looking for.” The puzzling thing about his comment is that it was Monday.