The truth is that everyone is bored, and devotes himself to cultivating habits

November 27, 2007 8:19 AM

I need suggestions for a snappy comeback involving existentialism.

I need a snappy/funny/witty comeback for when someone asks "How's that existentialism working out for you?".

posted by Totally Zanzibarin' Ya to Writing & Language (37 answers total)

Best answer: "It is what it is."
posted by brain_drain at 8:27 AM on November 27, 2007 [6 favorites]

Would an answer be enough?
posted by popcassady at 8:28 AM on November 27, 2007

"How's my existentialism working out for you?"
posted by stevis23 at 8:31 AM on November 27, 2007

"Takes one to know one." ?
posted by Area Control at 8:32 AM on November 27, 2007

It's a struggle.
posted by modernnomad at 8:39 AM on November 27, 2007

"It gives me the fortitude to shrug off your petty barbs, so I'd say it's working out pretty well."
posted by adamrice at 8:40 AM on November 27, 2007 [1 favorite]

What is is. What is not, isn't.
posted by dog food sugar at 8:43 AM on November 27, 2007 [1 favorite]

To steal from George Carlin ... "I'm now a Frisbeterian. We believe when you die your soul goes up on the roof and you can't get it down."
posted by lpsguy at 8:43 AM on November 27, 2007 [1 favorite]

Whenever someone asks you that, say nothing but immediately shoot an Arab for no reason.
posted by ND¢ at 8:45 AM on November 27, 2007 [3 favorites]

Do people really ask you that question so often that you need to procure a comeback for it?
posted by yz at 8:50 AM on November 27, 2007

It ain't what it used to be.
posted by unixrat at 8:53 AM on November 27, 2007

Does the person who keeps asking you this understand what existentialism is?
posted by zebra3 at 8:54 AM on November 27, 2007

Best answer: The hill's always the same but the rocks are different everyday.

Then look meaningfully at the questioner.
posted by crocomancer at 9:00 AM on November 27, 2007 [3 favorites]

I'm making the worst of it!
posted by iamkimiam at 9:01 AM on November 27, 2007

"Nothing. How does nothing work for you?"
posted by elwoodwiles at 9:05 AM on November 27, 2007

Response by poster: Do people really ask you that question so often that you need to procure a comeback for it?

I'd say roughly ten times a year for the last ten years.

My friend's dad was my high school english teacher, and while studying existential themes in liturature, I expressed interest in this philosophy and wanted to learn more about it, which translated to him into "I am an existentialist" for some reason.
posted by Totally Zanzibarin' Ya at 9:06 AM on November 27, 2007

Response by poster: Also, I don't think that first comment needed to be deleted. Or did it?
posted by Totally Zanzibarin' Ya at 9:08 AM on November 27, 2007

'I'm sorry, did I just say something?'
posted by jamjam at 9:10 AM on November 27, 2007

"Whatever."
posted by Thorzdad at 9:11 AM on November 27, 2007

"You know.. Despair, anguish, abandonment.. the usual. Speaking of, how's your mom?"
posted by jlowen at 9:15 AM on November 27, 2007

"One must imagine me happy."
posted by kimota at 9:17 AM on November 27, 2007 [3 favorites]

It beats nothingness-ism.
posted by bluejayk at 9:17 AM on November 27, 2007

My friend's dad was my high school english teacher, and while studying existential themes in liturature, I expressed interest in this philosophy and wanted to learn more about it, which translated to him into "I am an existentialist" for some reason.

It sounds as though you may not actually be an existentialist.
posted by yz at 9:22 AM on November 27, 2007

With the added info, it seems to me to be a case of someone repeating a "funny" joke, rather than someone asking you an honest question. Which makes a snappy, snarky response seem a little mean. He may just be trying to relate to you, or be funny, or whatever.

Are you still into it? If not, I'd just say, "Actually, that was just something I was interested in when I was a teenager". You're not responding to the attempt at humor, and hopefully he'll get the hint.
posted by DrGirlfriend at 9:30 AM on November 27, 2007

Ah, the free weights are a bitch.

(get it? get it? working out? I'll show myself out, thanks)
posted by YamwotIam at 9:30 AM on November 27, 2007

How about:

"You always ask me that. I have no freaking idea what you're talking about."

Then smile and ask after his family.
posted by stupidsexyFlanders at 9:38 AM on November 27, 2007

Best answer: "I haven't made it that far. I keep putting Descartes before Horace."
posted by jbickers at 9:41 AM on November 27, 2007 [5 favorites]

Response by poster: With the added info, it seems to me to be a case of someone repeating a "funny" joke

Basically. I've just never had a good comeback for it.
posted by Totally Zanzibarin' Ya at 9:44 AM on November 27, 2007

Response by poster: It sounds as though you may not actually be an existentialist.

I don't think so.
posted by Totally Zanzibarin' Ya at 9:48 AM on November 27, 2007 [1 favorite]

"It's working out great. I was just voted the Member Most Likely to Be."
posted by Oriole Adams at 10:04 AM on November 27, 2007

Hey! I found squirrels!
posted by averyoldworld at 10:06 AM on November 27, 2007

"Fuck you, clown."
posted by Uther Bentrazor at 10:28 AM on November 27, 2007 [1 favorite]

you know, they say hell is other people.
posted by thinkingwoman at 11:17 AM on November 27, 2007

The only important philosophical question is suicide and right now you're influencing my decision.

Technically absurdist.
posted by ersatz at 11:26 AM on November 27, 2007

It's what you make of it.
posted by klangklangston at 11:53 AM on November 27, 2007

Best answer: "It's making me nauseous."
posted by Dean King at 1:06 PM on November 27, 2007 [1 favorite]

zan, you have the answer right there--you said it yourself: "I don't think so."
posted by lester at 7:29 PM on November 27, 2007