Yeah a lot of us do it even if we find it awkward, because we feel it&#x27;s better than seeming cold and smug.  It&#x27;s also kindof an invitation I guess for real talk in case the other party really has something ready to chew on with you.<p>It reminds me of the Dilbert where he&#x27;s telling Catbert how he was confronted with passing someone he barely knows for the second time in a hallway, where he already gave the empty &quot;hey how&#x27;s it going&quot; the first time not long before.  Catbert asks what he did, he says he pulled the fire alarm, because he couldn&#x27;t think of anything else (&quot;I doubt Mrs. Manners will back you up on that one&quot;).  I feel that way sometimes too :)