I really can’t handle being asked this question. And I really don’t like asking it either. For one, I don’t care what someone else is thinking at any random moment. For two, I think some things should be left private. For instance, if I happen to be thinking, “Gee, I really need some new underwear,” well, I don’t feel the need to share that with someone and I don’t think I should have to in order to get “closer” to them.
WHAT ARE YOU THINKING? Is also a question I was always under the impression “chicks” asked, and since I don’t ask it, I didn’t think I’d ever have to deal with esoteric thinking in my relationships. But that’s not true, Modern Americans. Dudes ask it. And now I need to have some kind of pool of “thoughts” that I can pull from in order to appease certain males in my life.
Perhaps these will work: I am thinking about….
How fantastic you are.
The state of American foreign policy.
How much I like your hair.
Holiday weight gain.
Carol Channing(??????)
Sylvia Plath’s head in a stove.
Turkey Dinner.
The fact that you never take me out to dinner.
The fact that I never take you out to dinner.
Meet the Press.
Hmmm…maybe I’m pregnant.
See. You don’t want to know what us chicks are thinking about. So don’t ask. K?
December 18, 2007 at 6:49 pm
I hate (hate!) the phrase “What are you thinking?” Especially when it’s asked by somebody you’re ‘dating’.
If I wanted to tell you what I was thinking, I would. But I don’t. So don’t ask.
Perhaps I good retort would be a similar rude question. “How much do you pay for rent?” “Who did you vote for in the last election?” “Your genitalia looks kinda funny – What’s that about?”
Maybe then they’ll get the message.
December 19, 2007 at 11:37 am
Well it’s been my experience that this question only comes up during a lull in conversation. So one solution is to become a high school cheerleader. If you’re talking even, if is about crap, then you don’t have time to think at all.
I’m going to lean toward Reggie. Ask inappropriate questions back. Maybe give the same answer over and over again. How about, “My cat’s breath smells like cat food.”
You “could” just mention that you don’t enjoy his inquiry, but that wouldn’t be great for the purpose of your blog
December 20, 2007 at 5:53 am
Could be worse. I’m often asked “What WERE you thinking?” Usually it’s rhetorical though.
December 20, 2007 at 7:45 am
I agree with Ken. Usually I only ask this when I’m out with friends and there is a lull. I figure someone has to be thinking something more interesting than me, which is usually something about abstract math, and no one wants to know about that. Dear god, I don’t even want to know about that.