comment: >
  
  If it's someone I'm friendly with I'll ask them if they're asking or greeting me.
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. >
  
  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. >
  
  In the US, at least in the South, how are you/how ya doin is a greeting and not an actual question.  The acceptable responses are a simple wave or saying good or alright, and then moving on.
  When my dad first came to the US, he took it literally at first too. >
  
  I hate small talk like this and I agree. I won't answer "great!!" when asked if I'm actually doing terrible, but I also won't go into details to everyone and their dog. I simply say something like "Oh I've been better" or "hanging in there!" and then change the subject. If they really care they'll ask more, if they don't, you can move on and haven't made it too awkward. >
  
  Unpopular, yes.
  Logical, also yes.
  I understand how painful it is when people ask, "How are you" and you're hurting, but you still are just supposed to say, "fine." 
  I love it when I'm on hold for twenty minutes, usually with a problem, and the rep comes on with, "So how's your day going?" 😒 >
  
  People don't really know how to help and they don't have the energy to give much. I've come to realize that. We have to take care of ourselves. But yes, I'm with you - that makes, "How are you" hypocrisy. >
  
  Asking  "How are you?" is not about having a legit interest, its more about basic courtesy. And if the gesture itself is so generic, then perhaps the answer should be generic as well. If you are struggling with sadness or depression you dont just blurt that out to any person who asks "how are you?", thats stuff you share with your close friends, close relatives and your teraphist. >
  
  But it is not courteous at all to ask how someone is when you don't give a crap. >
  
  That’s part of the fake friendliness Americans have. They don’t care about you, like at all but act like they do >
  
  Man, maybe I belong somewhere else >
  
  Yeah no. I’ve always been taught that it’s courteous to greet someone and then say how are you. Does it mean I necessarily care how they are? No, but at least I can in some way judge their how the encounter is going to be based on their response.
  Also, if it’s someone I genuinely care about I ask because I genuinely want to know how they are. >
  
  Are you sure you're eating properly? You're looking a bit pale, you're probably not eating properly. Here, I'll put the rest of the lasagne in a tupperware box, so you can take it with you. >
  
  Hey, at least this would be real. Bring me some lasagne than leave me be since ya don't wanna hear 😂😛 >
  
  Take the opportunity to do a positive affirmation >
  
  "On a scale of 1 to 10 I'm at 100," >
  
  That’s the spirit! >
  
  Exactly, 100 could mean anything. I could be 100 percent amazing or literally so beneath the rabbit hole 😂