Alternatives to “Good Luck”

The Disclaimer: See that bump in my cheek? It’s my tongue.

I recently went to a hardware store and told them my problem: the spout on my gas can fell down inside the can and now I can’t pour the gas out without it all running down the side of the can and pooling in a perilous flammable puddle. I asked if they had a replacement spout. The clerk’s answer was, “Good luck!”

Now, I’ve had a lot of people wish me good luck lately and I’m grateful for all of them. I sincerely appreciate their kindness and I wholly believe in their sincerity. Saying “good luck” to a person can be very encouraging and is perfectly acceptable. But consider the following scenarios.

A reality show host offers a friendly “Good luck to all of you,” before revealing which contestant is out of the competition. Since everyone participating knows that only one person will be the winner, doesn’t wishing them all good luck seem disingenuous, not to mention improbable?

A job seeker receives a rejection that ends with “Good luck in your job search.” The job seeker just received 235 other rejections the previous day. In each of them, of course, the “Good luck” part was preceded by “We don’t want you.” Guess which part has the more powerful message?

And finally, a rugged individualist and staunch realist who doesn’t believe in luck is told “Good luck!”For instance, in the movie The Abyss, when someone wishes her luck in a very difficult task, the character Lindsey Brigman replies, “Luck is not a factor.”

So, what to say instead?

When wishing someone success in a challenging venture, how about Tim Gunn’s “Make it work!” This allows the person to insert his or her own ingenuity into the process. The encouraging “Go for it!” or “Go get ‘em!” may be substituted for “Make it work!”

If you’re superstitious and in the theater, continue to use the traditional “Break a leg.” If you’re superstitious and not in the theater, how about, “Get scurvy!”

If you know the person will not be offended or uncomfortable if you offer a religious sentiment, you could say “God bless you,” or “Let Jesus take the wheel!”

If you’re a certain kind of nerd, you may want to stick with “May the Force be with you.” It’s both secular and multidenominational.

What other suggestions do you have?