ABSTRACT
Let’s begin the exploration with the phrase ‘Have a nice day!’. If you have pondered this much-used phrase when confronted with it as a farewell in a fast food restaurant you may also have come to the same conclusion as me. On the one hand it is simply another way of saying ‘goodbye’ and in this respect merits no more than a Garfinkel-like appraisal along the lines of ‘shared meanings in a common-sense everyday world’ (Garfinkel 1967a). On the other, it niggles as a form of irritation because of its false sincerity. But, what would be the point of getting angry? After all, it is only a script – as an employee, you learn your lines, you repeat them ad nauseam, largely because you want to keep your job, and, if it sounds insincere, it probably is, after all you’re only working for the minimum wage.
