Bon Nochi and Empathy

Bon Nochi and Empathy

August 10, 2026

Nowadays, people say Felis anochi (happy evening). The traditional expression is Bon nochi (good evening). I don’t know when or why it became Felis. So be it.

But here is the thing. Almost all news anchors open with: Felis anochi. And then they proceed to report the most horrific news. Today, for example, an earthquake in Colombia measuring 7.4 on the Richter scale. What follows is a whole portion of misery, along with a few successful athletes returning home after competing abroad. And then, to sign off, once again the word Felis.

I wonder whether people themselves don’t sense that this greeting is out of place.

Miguel Goede