I hope that you all succeed at solving my problem

April 17, 2007 6:22 PM

What's a good alternate well-wishing statement to "good luck" that doesn't have anything to do with luck, fate, deism of any kind, or assorted other superstitions that still conveys good wishes?

I realize that my constraints limit things significantly, but I'm hoping that people here will come up with some suitably well-thought-out, brief equivalents.

I'm trying to move away from the 'good luck' thing because I feel that it implies that the person to whom I'm speaking needs luck to succeed, which is not the message I want to convey (explicitly, implicitly, or imaginarily). I also intend to avoid long-winded replacements, anything religious (I'm not) or referential to fate/karma et al.

So, how about it?

posted by ChrisR to Human Relations (75 answers total)

Does "best wishes" work?
posted by scarlet at 6:26 PM on April 17, 2007

It probably depends on the context. You could go for something campy like "Up and at 'em" (from Radioactive Man).
posted by martinX's bellbottoms at 6:26 PM on April 17, 2007

Yes, context is definitely vital. You could try something generic such as "Here's to your success!", implying that it's a given.
posted by Saydur at 6:28 PM on April 17, 2007

How about the phrase "take care"? It implies a certain amount of concern and consideration on your part without the supersition you mention.

i also second "best wishes."
posted by numinous at 6:29 PM on April 17, 2007

Live long and prosper?
posted by JamesToast at 6:29 PM on April 17, 2007 [1 favorite]

I have long favored "best wishes" for serious, sincere, and happy occasions...but will admit to "live long and prosper" among some of my closer friends, who understand that I mean it sincerely.

Yeah, the "good luck" thing just blows completely. I'm glad to see that I'm not the only one who hates it.
posted by davidmsc at 6:32 PM on April 17, 2007

Best wishes doesn't work. Wish = genies. How about "my hopes go with you" or even just "I hope you win"?
posted by DU at 6:36 PM on April 17, 2007

Peace be with you (pax vobiscum).
posted by ikkyu2 at 6:36 PM on April 17, 2007

Best answer: Totally sidestepping speculation seems difficult. Something like "I have confidence in you" skirts the edges, but that seems awkward.

I frequently and not very ironically send people off with "rock and roll!". Things in that vein—cheerful, non-speculative exhortations—might work? "Go get 'em", "Kick some ass", etc.
posted by cortex at 6:39 PM on April 17, 2007

Rock it.
posted by hifimofo at 6:39 PM on April 17, 2007

Best answer: you'll nail it, we'll be thinking of you
posted by Salvatorparadise at 6:39 PM on April 17, 2007

"Break a leg" is superstition-related, but it's clearly ironic and feels jocular and light-hearted to me. Besides, the superstition really only refers to theater, so you can use it with a clear conscience in nontheatrical contexts.

How about "knock 'em dead" or "go get 'em"?
posted by ROTFL at 6:41 PM on April 17, 2007

ikkyu2, "Peace be with you" has strong religious connotations. It's a phrase used in Anglican/Episcopalian services, so it fails the 'no deism' criterion.
posted by Aloysius Bear at 6:43 PM on April 17, 2007

Fight the power.
posted by Bookhouse at 6:44 PM on April 17, 2007

All the best.
posted by sueinnyc at 6:45 PM on April 17, 2007 [1 favorite]

"Take it easy."
posted by Steven C. Den Beste at 6:45 PM on April 17, 2007

"You can do it!"
posted by amyms at 6:46 PM on April 17, 2007

My grandfather used to say "Excelsior!" (Or sometimes "Onward and Upward -- Excelsior!")
posted by scody at 6:47 PM on April 17, 2007 [3 favorites]

"Do good and do well."

That way it can be construed as advice, directive, and confident adage all at once.
posted by BitterOldPunk at 6:48 PM on April 17, 2007

Best answer: How about "break a leg" for a very specific sort of good-luck-wishing?

I find the phrases "good luck", "God bless", et. al. very interesting. It seems to me that both parties of a sincere exchange usually consider that some sort of speech act has been performed. In the same way that a presidential pardon affects objective reality by freeing a once-imprisoned man, the users of these phrases tend to seem to believe that they might alter reality positively for the receiver. I consider "good luck" the simplest of human incantations.

All that aside, if you wish to offer someone your support in some matter, I would suggest that you target that support more specifically than "good luck" would.

Them: "Alright, well, I'll talk to you later. I'm going to go harvest some wheat."

You: "Talk to you later, Ezekial. Good harvest."

***

Them: "I tell you this because I might die in that arena. I'm a woman. My name is Telula. I love you, ChrisR"

You: "I've always loved you, too, Robe---er, Telula. I hope you kill them all and emerge with your teeth dripping in blood and entrails, my sweet."

***

Them: "I just sent away my application to Miskatonic University. I think I have a pretty good chance."

You: "Wow. I hope you get accepted. And also that you remain sane long enough to graduate."


Really, don't you think "good luck" is a bit of a conversational cop-out? Imagination is key.
posted by Netzapper at 6:49 PM on April 17, 2007 [2 favorites]

It's a bit juvenile, but I often say 'have fun!'
posted by Lucie at 6:57 PM on April 17, 2007

Go get 'em, Tiger.
posted by ZakDaddy at 6:59 PM on April 17, 2007

Aloysius Bear: "strong," "phrase," and "Aloysius" are all words that are sometimes used inside churches. Does that mean you are disqualified from answering on this thread?

"Peace be with you" is the most secular concept imaginable.
posted by ikkyu2 at 7:04 PM on April 17, 2007

Always say "Don't get caught." Regardless of context.
posted by churl at 7:05 PM on April 17, 2007 [4 favorites]

I'm trying to move away from the 'good luck' thing because I feel that it implies that the person to whom I'm speaking needs luck to succeed

Of course people need luck to succeed so what are you really trying to convey? If their success is a given then I suppose you can utter a statement like: "Lets meet for beers afterward to celebrate your success!"

I suppose more succinctly that becomes (in a confident tone): "[Knowing you,] You'll kick ass."

To me when people say "Go get'em!" or "Do well." or whatever it comes off as a teacherly, mildly patronizing "Do your best!" meaning that I shouldn't need someone to tell me to do well - its my default goal already. But when people say "Good luck" or "Best wishes" I always took it as shorthand for the more awesomely: "May everything align in your favor." which is encouraging without being patronizing.
posted by vacapinta at 7:06 PM on April 17, 2007

"May the road rise to meet you" or "May the wind be always at your back" (first two lines from an Irish blessing, shorn of religious ending)
"Sto lyet!" ("Сто лет", literally: [may you live] a hundred years, old Russian toast)
"Don't let the door hit you in the ass!" or "Keep your pecker up!" (Yank snark)
posted by rob511 at 7:08 PM on April 17, 2007

Keep on keepin' on.
posted by phrontist at 7:09 PM on April 17, 2007

I have this habit of saying "Don't die!". Take that as you will.
posted by yeoz at 7:09 PM on April 17, 2007 [1 favorite]

Enjoy your journey
Take care of yourself
Be good to yourself
Be good
posted by jbickers at 7:11 PM on April 17, 2007

ikkyu2: Does that mean you are disqualified from answering on this thread?

The questioner specifically asked for a statement that "doesn't have anything to do with luck, fate, deism of any kind, or assorted other superstitions."

Since it's strongly associated with religion, "peace be with you" isn't a good suggestion.

"Peace be with you" is the most secular concept imaginable.

Sure, but the phrase itself is associated with religion, and that's exactly what the questioner wanted to avoid.
posted by Aloysius Bear at 7:12 PM on April 17, 2007

I have this habit of saying "Don't die!".

That was my world of warcraft raiding guild's motto.
posted by cowbellemoo at 7:12 PM on April 17, 2007

take care,
posted by Toekneesan at 7:13 PM on April 17, 2007

I always say " do good things".
posted by eggerspretty at 7:20 PM on April 17, 2007

"I'm rootin' for ya."

But I agree with vacapinta re: "Good luck," only because many things are out of our hands. Call it luck, call it chance, call it coincidence, but you still need it to be in your favor. You may ace the job interview, but you won't get the job if the guy who wants to hire you is killed that night by an out-of-control tractor-trailer while crossing the street, or if you die the next day of fulminant bacterial meningitis, or if the CEO of the company kills the CFO in a murder-suicide pact that weekend and the company is shut down by the Feds. Those kinds of things are out of your control. So, to me, "good luck" conveys: "May the factors that even someone as brilliant as you can't control work in your favor."
posted by ROTFL at 7:20 PM on April 17, 2007

"Fare well"
posted by Pater Aletheias at 7:24 PM on April 17, 2007

I have this habit of saying "Don't die!". Take that as you will.

My whole family does this! Then it's awkward when I accidentally say it when I shouldn't.

I second "best wishes" and "all the best", but "don't get caught" is awesome too.
posted by hypervenom at 7:25 PM on April 17, 2007 [1 favorite]

"Don't take any wooden nickels" works in many contexts. Sure to raise a chuckle from anyone over 40, or anyone who remembers Bugs Bunny cartoons; good for a perplexed look from most young whippersnappers.
posted by ROTFL at 7:32 PM on April 17, 2007

"word"
posted by devbrain at 7:33 PM on April 17, 2007

... or if you die the next day of fulminant bacterial meningitis ...

Which is exactly why I say "Don't die!", because, if you die, whatever you're doing or going to do is meaningless in comparison.

My whole family does this! Then it's awkward when I accidentally say it when I shouldn't.

Hah, I always say it at horribly inappropriate times too. My friends and coworkers have gotten used to it though. Although, I'm not quite sure where I picked it up from...
posted by yeoz at 7:33 PM on April 17, 2007

Response by poster: I should have clarified -- I meant for use in skill-oriented things; job interviews, exams, etc... Things for which luck is typically less of a factor unless the person in question could not likely succeed on their own merit, thereby lending a slightly patronizing aspect to a wish of "good luck".
posted by ChrisR at 7:39 PM on April 17, 2007

a professor of mine always said before an exam that "good luck will get you nowhere, so i wish you all good skill". no, it doesn't make any sense to me either, but it definitely became a tradition.
posted by sian at 7:40 PM on April 17, 2007 [1 favorite]

"Don't die!" is also short for "Don't fuck it up!". Take that as you will.
posted by yeoz at 7:41 PM on April 17, 2007

more context, perhaps? are you wishing people well in a particular endeavour, or just giving them good wishes upon parting? most people seem to be taking you in the former sense.

upon parting, i often leave with a cheery "seeya! have fun!".

a more standard aussie expression is "have a good one (mate)", all drawled together:
"avagoodonemate!"
"yehthanksmateyoutoo"

(the "one" might mean day, night, weekend, journey, date, dinner, whatever - you don't need to specify)

you could always use foreign language terms as well - in the right audience they don't come across as particularly pretentious, can be quite cheery, and people will typically know the gist of what they mean, if not the exact literal meaning, eg au revoir / hasta luego / hasta manana / bon(ne?) chance / ciao / salaam aleikum (yeh, i know, religious), etc etc
posted by UbuRoivas at 7:42 PM on April 17, 2007

"May the blind, impersonal, and deterministic forces exerting statistically significant influence on the possible outcomes of the four-dimensional cross-section as limited by the boundary conditions--both implied and expressly stated--of the events we have exchanged information about align such that they strongly correlate to the possible outcome that is most favorable to you!"

I'll grant that may seem long-winded, but the very instant you start taking shortcuts, you're wobbling on the precipice of superstition. Be ever vigilant.

Come to think of it, "Be ever vigilant!" is a pretty good one, too.

Finally, thanks to once traveling through New Hampshire, a friend of mine will occasionally use "Live free or die!" to the same effect.
posted by Drastic at 7:43 PM on April 17, 2007 [9 favorites]

(I, for one, will be wishing everyone "Be ever vigilant!" on every possible occasion from this day forward. Thanks, Drastic!)
posted by ROTFL at 7:45 PM on April 17, 2007 [1 favorite]

personal favourite:

"fare thee well, gentle playfellow!"
posted by gursky at 8:07 PM on April 17, 2007

I often say:

Be well.

Be happy.

I hope you are well.

I'm thinking of you.

Do good work.
posted by ztdavis at 8:08 PM on April 17, 2007

I usually say "Have fun, kill lots of stuff, don't die." But that's probably more appropriate to wishing my husband farewell as he heads off for a night for gaming than it would be to Aunt Nedra, on her way to take her driver's exam...
posted by headspace at 8:33 PM on April 17, 2007

"Death to thine enemies!"

Yes, I have used this. Pick your audience carefully.
posted by spaceman_spiff at 8:44 PM on April 17, 2007

I knew a guy in college whose parting exhortation was always, "Keep it greasy."
posted by jayder at 9:13 PM on April 17, 2007

"Stay black."

/ Depending on your ethnicity, this will be either entertainingly retro or hideously racist (or both). Don't say I didn't warn you.
posted by Aloysius Bear at 9:18 PM on April 17, 2007

I vote for "take care"; a lot of the other stuff makes the well-wisher sound like a pretentious twit.
posted by jayder at 9:20 PM on April 17, 2007

I also say "don't die." My other favorites:

(when someone's going off to eat) "Get fat!"
(when they're going on a walk, preferably at night) "Don't get mugged!"
(anytime) "Don't have any fun at all./Don't have fun!"
(anytime, depending) "Be good./Don't be good."

Generally speaking, I'll tailor it to be opposite what the person I'm speaking to needs/is capable of/etc. I use "get fat" to my S.O. a -lot-, because he will never be anywhere close to fat, in this lifetime or any other. This works because I say it with just that little twist of friendly sarcasm that implies "you're not going to do anything of the sort, and that I'm telling you not to is just my little vote of confidence in you." I'll tell a friend going to take a final, "Be sure to fail!" because I know he's going to do fantastically well.

But that may just be me.
posted by po at 9:38 PM on April 17, 2007

there's the old "don't let your meat loaf" and the inevitable rejoinder if the first speaker is a woman, "don't let your pussy willow."
posted by bruce at 12:15 AM on April 18, 2007 [1 favorite]

All the best.
posted by devilsbrigade at 12:30 AM on April 18, 2007 [1 favorite]

I used to get, "Remember, fuck them before they fuck you" of one of the old lads on the concrete gang I worked as a young 'un. The version of "take it easy" added "but do take it."
posted by Abiezer at 1:11 AM on April 18, 2007

I like what the French say - 'bon courage'. Used in situations where 'bonne chance' (good luck) would seem inappropriate, as you say. I sometimes say this to people who don't speak French, with a little explanation, and it usually goes over well. I'm long-winded, though, so this might not work for you.
posted by altolinguistic at 2:38 AM on April 18, 2007

Can't remember where I heard this, but I like it:

Instead of saying 'Take Care'

say,

'Take risks'.
posted by Happy Dave at 3:56 AM on April 18, 2007

Written, I prefer "Best" or "Best Wishes."

Spoken, I default to "Thank You," even if I'm not in a position that outwardly calls for the statement.

What better way to wish someone well than thanking them? There's always a reason to say thanks, if just for being an acquaintance.
posted by VulcanMike at 4:07 AM on April 18, 2007

My anarchist German friend says "schaff was!" which roughly translates to "acheive (something)!".
Perhaps a tad protestant, though.
posted by Thug at 4:39 AM on April 18, 2007

In the case of tasks that need accomplished, I would probably go with "Be Awesome!"

I like it because it seems to imply that the speaker believes that you can be Awesome, which is pretty encouraging.

And really, who shouldn't be awesome at a job interview?
posted by that girl at 5:26 AM on April 18, 2007

Not perfect for every situation, but I'm partial to "Fuck 'em if they can't take a joke" and "Do it to death."
posted by cosmonaught at 5:48 AM on April 18, 2007

I like to say "give it your all" when people say they're going to the bathroom.
posted by dmo at 6:06 AM on April 18, 2007

"Have fun storming the castle!" is a favorite of mine, but it works best with Princess Bride fans.
posted by Lyn Never at 6:39 AM on April 18, 2007

Response by poster: Thanks, folks, for some excellent answers; I'm trying them out in my room (I probably sound like an insane motivational speaker to anyone passing by) to see which ones fit.

Keep 'em coming, if you've got them!
posted by ChrisR at 6:46 AM on April 18, 2007

"Be excellent to one another!"
posted by Alt F4 at 7:08 AM on April 18, 2007

Give 'em hell.
posted by dr_dank at 8:13 AM on April 18, 2007

Have fun storming the castle!

You're my biggest fan!
posted by orangemiles at 10:39 AM on April 18, 2007

Ever since the Sean Penn puppet did it in Team America, I've gotten laughs with, "Ker Plahh!"

Geek that I am, I'm aware that's not the accepted spelling of "Success!" in Klingon, but it's how the puppet says it, so more people get the reference that way.
posted by Crosius at 12:16 PM on April 18, 2007 [1 favorite]

"Shake and bake!"
posted by mullingitover at 4:43 PM on April 18, 2007

Two thumbs up, a Borat accent and "Great Success!" is all you need.
posted by Frank Grimes at 6:00 PM on April 18, 2007

My friends and I are fond of "Keep it real!"
Keep what real, you ask? We don't know, but someday, you -- yes you -- might stumble upon the answer.

Be ever vigilant.
posted by poq at 10:02 PM on April 18, 2007

I like to say "give it your all" when people say they're going to the bathroom.

That's usually when I say "good luck."

something specifically non-patronizing for a skill-focused, standardized test sort of event is "Don't do anything I would do."

For standardized exams, something along the lines of "DON'T PANIC" or "Knowing you, you'll probably have fun with it" would also fit.
posted by srs at 1:35 AM on April 19, 2007

"Keep on truckin'."
posted by hot soup girl at 2:05 AM on April 19, 2007

What I say to people at nearly every parting: Have fun (alternately, Have a great day/week/weekend if the people are older and I feel less likely to appreciate being told to have fun by a young whippersnapper. My job involves ladies far older than myself.)

My anthropology of myth and ritual professor provided an example of contagious magic early in this semester.

A young man had to take a big test and his grandmother took several pencils to a priest in her religious tradition who blessed the pencils so that the man would do well. (contagious magic- things that have been in contact remain connected forever, also, you've probably heard about taking a piece of someone's hair and saying a spell over it.) The grandmother gave him the pencils, but he didn't use them and took the exam with his own pencils. He felt that he did well on his own merit, without the magic of his grandmother's faith.

I suggested that perhaps the grandmother's magic worked because it was homeopathic magic - the priest blessed not just those particular pencils, but all the pencils the young man would use. (Compare to the body and blood of Christ as taken in Catholic Communion but that's also maybe contagious because of their connection to the priest?) My professor was impressed.

So. I guess my point is that any wish you have for a person may be interpreted as helpful. Express those good hopes in whatever way you feel comfortable. I certainly know that no matter how well I prepare for an event I feel far more confident when I know that someone (anyone!) is rooting for me.
posted by bilabial at 4:08 PM on April 19, 2007 [1 favorite]