Finally some clarity on what the heck you're supposed to do after this f-bomb is dropped. "Hey you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine."
One of the hardest phrases to decipher from person to person, and even harder to understand when coming from a female mindset. "I'm fine" is an expression that can be lost to interpretation.
The difficulty comes from the array of endless possibilities prompting why it was said, and how to deal with it after it is used is a situation you should be prepared for.
So I present this to you, world: a female breakdown of the phrase "I'm fine."
Sometimes, dependent upon which situations led up to the use of this phrase, she actually is fine. It is true! I promise! Sometimes, you catch her in deep thought or thinking about something that might not bring a smile to her face, or she is just relaxed or tired and doesn't have the energy to be entertaining. In this case, she 95 percent of the time is actually fine, so let her be.
In other instances, you don't really know what's going on, but you can tell she is not being herself, and she is clearly not okay. She will say, "I'm fine" anyway. In this case, run it can be one of the seven following possibilities.
1. She doesn't want to talk about it.
This girl is probably independent and outspoken most of the time, but when she uses this phrase to answer your "Hey, are you okay?" question, (even if she is not) this is not the time to prod her about why she is upset. Most likely she wants to be left alone to sort it out, and trust me when she wants to talk to you about it she will come to you. Showing you are there for her is enough so otherwise let her be, "kind of okay, but not really" in peace.
2. She is testing you.
Personally, I do not support or condone the use of the phrase in this context, but nevertheless it is still applied in this way. In this circumstance, the use of "I'm fine" is supposed to test the friendship or relationship. Here, she is trying to see if you can magically read her mind and assume that she is actually not fine, so you can magically know exactly what to do to comfort her. Females...smh.
3. She's tired/hungry.
We're sorry that we're being b**ches, and there is not an actually reasoning for this other than the lack of sleep or food that has graced us before seeing you. When she uses fine in this context, just nod and let her go, because until a nap or snack is bestowed upon us we are no longer friendly human beings.
4. She's stressed out.
I am a huge offender when it comes to the use of fine in this circumstance, but my guilt is validated by the stress that I am constantly under. When a girl in your life who usually has her stuff together is stressed beyond belief, she will do one of two things: 1, self-stress relieve or 2, outward-stress relieve. In both situations, she will attempt to figure everything out with zero to little help, and find the best way to lower her stress level; but she will tell you she is okay so that she gives off the illusion of control. When a female lacks control over aspects in her life, she will show control over aspects that she can control, like her interactions with friends, and because of this, she will say, "I'm fine" to show that control, or to be left alone.
5. She doesn't want to argue.
She is to tired/stressed/hungry/sick to argue with you about whatever is up for debate at the moment. So she will reply to anything with, "Okay, that's fine." In this case, just accept your victory and move on, because she doesn't want to engage in a long pointless argument.
6. She's pissed.
Warning: Back away slowly. To females and males alike who encounter the use of "I'm fine" when it actually means "I want to roundhouse kick this day in the freaking face." She is mad. And you don't want to poke the angry lion with a stick, so just accept that she is angry and change the subject... or run away.
7. She wants you to comfort her.
This is one instance in which you must know the person who is using the phrase very well to properly interpret what to do next. Here, this girl wants her best friend to hug her or her boyfriend to kiss her and make everything okay again, but your understanding of how this girl works will determine in which way you make her feel better. In this case, play it by ear, because showing her you care already means so much.
