A neighbor you've never met in the elevator asks, "Where are you going?" and asks. The international student wonders, "Why are they curious about where I'm going?" and was surprised, they say. But that person isn't actually asking because they're really curious. ## Why is it a question that needs no answer? This phrase isn't a question, it's a greeting. It's similar to "안녕하세요." The same goes for "뭐 해?", "밥 먹었어?", and "살 빠졌네." So if you answer in detail, like "I'm going to the hospital," the other person will actually be surprised. ## Why do people greet with questions? In the old days, Korean people lived together in one village for a long time. Knowing where your neighbor was going was also a way of looking out for each other. So the words "I see you coming and going" became a warm greeting. In Korean, people often show their feelings by acknowledging what the other person is up to. Walking past as if you don't know them actually feels cold. "Where are you going?" means "I recognize you." And mentioning that someone has lost weight is also a sign that you had been paying attention. What really matters isn't the information, but the feeling behind it: "You're not alone." ## Try answering like this A short answer with a smile is enough. "Yes, just stepping out for a bit!", "To exercise." If you don't feel like talking, a simple "Yes, I'll be back" works too. To "You've lost weight," reply "Really? Just say "Thank you."