Mastering the Art of Responding to “What’s Up”

The Dreaded “What’s Up”

We’ve all been there – someone says “What’s up?” and you get confused about crafting the perfect response. It’s such a vague question that can be hard to reply to on the spot. As communicators, we sometimes struggle when put on the spot and don’t want to sound boring or uninterested. But never fear – with a little practice, you’ll be able to respond to “What’s up?” with ease.

Make It Personal

One of the best ways to reply is by making it personal. Tell the person genuinely what you’ve been up to or how you’re feeling. For example, you could say “Not much, just been catching up on work. How about you?” or “Feeling a bit tired today but otherwise well, what have you been up to?” Give a short, casual response to set the tone for a relaxed conversation.

Ask a Question Back

If you’re drawing a blank on what to say, turn it back around on them with a question. Ask them how their day is going or what they’ve been working on. Not only does this take the pressure off coming up with a response yourself, but it shows you’re engaged in the conversation and want to know about them too. Some options are “Not much, and you? How’s your day so far?” or “Oh you know, the usual. What have you been working on lately?”

Mention the Weather

You can never go wrong by mentioning the weather – it’s an easy, low-stakes topic everyone can relate to. Comments like “Same old, staying dry in the rain.” help continue the casual small talk. It also gives you something visual or sensory to comment on if you’re at a loss for other ideas. Plus, the weather is always changing so it leaves openings to ask follow up questions too.

Add a Little Humor

If your relationship with the person allows for it, you can reply in a playful, exaggerated manner to lighten the interaction. Respond jokingly, for example by saying “Oh you know, living it large over here!” in an over-the-top voice. Or replying lightheartedly like “Same as always, ruling the world one day at a time!” while adding a wink. Using humor in this way shows your personality and can ease any awkwardness caused by the ambiguous question.

Keep it Brief

The key is to give a short, casual response since “What’s up?” itself is pretty brief. You don’t need to launch into a long-winded story unless they specifically ask for more details. A sentence or two tops is usually sufficient. The goal is to continue the easy small talk, not turn it into an in-depth discussion. Short, light replies move the conversation along naturally.

Follow-Up Questions

After giving your initial response, remember to keep the interaction going by asking a follow up question of your own. This prevents the conversation from dying off after a single comment exchange. Some good options to continue the discussion include asking “And how about you, anything new with you?” or “Anything fun planned for this weekend?”. Going back and forth by responding to their question and asking your own in return helps generate a natural flowing dialogue.

Give a Short Summary

In addition to making it personal or joking around, you can simply summarize your current activities or mindset. For example, “Oh you know, just been busy catching up on errands today. Needed to hit the grocery store and pay a few bills.” Keeping it brief is key – one or two sentences is sufficient.

Reference Inside Jokes

If you and the person asking have an inside joke or shared amusing memory, referencing that common ground could make for an entertaining response. For example, replying something like “Same old, still recovering from that crazy night last weekend!” plays off a private experience you both recall. Bringing up a mutual bond, inside joke or meme through your response shows the familiarity between you and helps set a more comfortable, informal atmosphere for your brief conversation.

Read Also: How to Respond to WSP

Mention Plans for Later

If you have something fun coming up that you’re anticipating, bringing it up as part of your response may guide the interaction upbeat focused on what’s ahead. For example, you could reply “Nothing new, just looking forward to going out with my sister. Anything interesting lined up for you this weekend?” Bringing up forthcoming activities allows for an optimistic exchange of scheduled events. Their answer would then give new areas to build upon to continue the back-and-forth chat in a Positive direction. It helps direct the dialogue from current matters to mutual hopes and expectations.

Compliment Them

Especially if this is someone you know well, responding with a lighthearted compliment never hurts! “Oh you know, just keeping busy. Looking sharp as always, by the way.” Keep it brief yet genuine. Positive feedback can help the conversation flow more smoothly.

Be Authentic

Regardless of the approach you take, keeping responses somewhat authentic is best. You don’t need to divulge your entire day, just a casual snippet to match their informal checking in. Making a few offhand comments you feel comfortable with works better than overthinking perfectly scripted answers.

Reminisce About Shared Memories

If it’s someone you have history with, you can respond by fondly remembering an inside joke, vacation, or experience you both shared in the past. Keep it brief but allow nostalgia to positively color your interaction.

Comment on Current Events

If there’s breaking news or viral items being discussed, mentioning them can lead to topical conversation. For example, “You know same old, just keeping up with this crazy election season!”

Point Out Something Funny/Interesting

If there is a funny or peculiar thing in the surrounding environment that catches your eye, taking note of it can provide talking points for your response. For instance, “Nothing much, just laughing at that silly typo on the marquee over there!”

Use Emoticons and Smileys

In text, emoticons help convey a lighthearted, upbeat tone since vocal tones are lost. :-), 😉 and other smileys show your message is meant casually.

Provide an Uplifting Perspective

If feeling positive, share an inspiring quote or outlook that may uplift the other person’s day too. Lead with light and lift both people in the interaction.

Ask an Open-Ended Question

If you hit a lull, pose a fun, thought-provoking question to get an engaging discussion going. “Any movies you’re excited to see coming out?”

Read Social Cues

If the interaction seems rushed or low-energy, keep things brief. If the other person seems chatty, you have room for a lengthier back-and-forth. Adapt based on their signals.

Conclusion

With a bit of practice responding to “What’s up?” casually and conversationally, it’ll start to feel more comfortable. Remember that the question itself is meant as a quick, informal check-in, not an in-depth status update. Light, personable answers along with follow up questions will help any small talk conversation flow smoothly. Keep responses brief but genuine, and don’t be afraid to add a touch of humor. Before long, you’ll be a pro at replying when someone says “What’s up?”.

FAQs

What if I really don’t have anything to report?

Even if your day has been uneventful, you can still comment on the environment (weather), your mood or plans for the rest of the day. Honestly admitting “not much” is also fine as long as you follow up with a question for them.

What if I don’t feel like chatting?

If you’re not in the mood to converse, keep it brief but pleasant. Say something like “Oh, just hanging in there. Yourself?” and excuse yourself politely after if needed.

Is it ok to ask how they are doing?

Absolutely! Turning it back with a question like “Not much, you?” or “Same old. How are you?” engages them in the conversation too.

How casual should my response be?

Aim for a light, easygoing tone that match the casual nature of the question. Formal responses aren’t necessary unless in a business setting.

Any other tips?

Smile when responding – it comes through in your voice. Making eye contact also conveys friendly openness if talking in person.