comment: >
  
  Given your food post history you do belong more in France than in UK :-)
  But back on topic, I visited USA briefly and I was shocked how much people were asking that without actually caring about it. My mind was like "say lies that you are fine because you just got cancer and it gives you power to do actually anything without consequences. ANYTHING."
  I don't have cancer but I really want to be left alone and not asked how I am nor if I want a refil when my glass is only 10% empty.
context: Are you OK? >
  
  I'm fine ;) >
  
  Phatic communication isn't communicating any thing substantive. Often it isn't communicating anything at all, it is a check to see if the channel is open. Would you prefer "How's it hanging?" Chit chat, cliche level communication is the human equivalent of dogs sniffing each other's butts. You can disapprove but it is hard to stop. >
  
  Fun fact, in France, "how are you" expression comes from "how is it going [at the toilet]".
  Posh french people avoid this expression because it is kind of rude to ask how do you take your dumps. >
  
  This is why I belong in France.