Other People

Many things drive me crazy but mostly it's other people. If only they could all be better. One of the things they do is something I've written about before but it hasn't stopped and in fact it's getting worse, so I'm writing about it again. It's that horrific tendency of robotic thinking, exemplified when people write the exact same thing on a comment stream on Facebook as the last one posted. They don't even try to hide it! For example, say someone has died--a dog or cat or even a child, God forbid a million times. You might see this:

First person: I am so sorry for your loss, my heart and prayers are with you and your family.
Next person: Sorry for your loss. I am praying for you and your family.
Next person: So sorry for your loss. My prayers are with you and your family.
Next person: Sending you  and your family prayers. So sorry for your loss.

Or maybe this, when someone is sick or is getting over surgery:

First person: Sorry to hear you are down. Hope you will start feeling better and be on the mend soon.
Next person: Hope you are on the mend soon!
Next person: Really hope you are feeling better and are on the mend soon!
Next person: Heard you were feeling down. Hoping you feel better soon.

Why do they bother? Why not just do it this way? Like after an illness:

First person: Sorry to hear about your surgery. My prayers are with you and we are sending healing thoughts your way.
Next person: What she said.
Next person: Ditto.
Next person: What they all said.