When you ask someone how they are doing, do you really want to know or is it just a way of greeting someone?

[SweetDripp]

I find that most people who ask me are just looking for a one word answer and don’t really want to hear how I’m doing.

[Lliam]

Just saying "Hi" or "Hello" seems kind of formal, clipped or brusque. So people add something else to be more friendly.
"Hello. It's nice to see you."
What I'm used to in California is:
"Hey, how's it goin'?"
"Hey, how ya doin'?"
"Hey, what's up?"

Depending on who you are greeting, you may or may not want or expect any more that a simply reply, usually something positive.
"Great!"
"I'm doing well, thanks."
"Another day in paradise."

If you are talking to a friend, you can elaborate, of course. Maybe give an anecdote about what's on your mind. Engage in a conversation.

What can suck are the types of people who will take any opportunity to tell their problems to anyone who will listen. That's not why we say "How's it going?"

[Anonymous]

Well usually a one word or phrase answer is the appropriate response, but those short responses can still indicate how you're doing in general. They may not want to know how good or bad you're doing, or why, but they likely wouldn't be annoyed or confused if you gave an answer like "I've been better" or "not the best."

It is a way of greeting, but if this is the beginning of a conversation rather than a brief passing exchange, then it could open the door for them to ask follow-up more serious questions like for you to elaborate or explain. They may not anyways though. It can be uncomfortable if someone is doing badly and you don't know how to talk about it.

[ohsheeT]

I guess it really depends on who they are and how well I know them.. . But you just gave me the greatest idea next time a stranger asked me I'm just going to lay it into this person heavy and just make up something that is just crazy and just carry on and Carry on and carry on until they say I got to leave I got to go or something

[SomothErgai]

If there's nothing worth mentioning then no, a one word answer is fine. However if you actually want to talk about how you're doing and there's something to actually say then by all means, lay it on me. I'm a good listener and tend to have pretty good insights into how to help people with their problems.

So.

How are you doing?

[DannyUk2017]

Yes it has "become" a "greeting", not the need to 100% know how the other person is Really doing... like in UK... "are you ok?"... answer to that can be anything, as really they wouldn`t give a rat`s ass if you are Really Ok or Not!

[JacobJordan]

I am likely the only person that asks it sincerely and not as a greeting. Though I only ask if I am going to be around for more than a few minutes as since I want them to be able to talk it takes more than a couple minutes.

[Summeroflove]

I tend to have empathy so yes I care how people are doing. But I also like when I’ll ask someone that and they’ll start telling me their whole life story and I never met them

[Chazmatazz269]

It’s usually an unimaginative and mindless greeting. You can hear when someone really wants to know how you’re doing, and see it in their face.

[spartan55]

You should put those mind reading skills to good use.

[MicahRaine]

I really want to know. I usually won't push too hard unless I know something is going on, but I love people so I'm always ready to listen to what's really going on inside.

[RavVid]

It is mostly a greeting but if i am friends if you I expect to the good and the ugly

[DarkLegacy]

To be honest yeah, most people do it just as way of greeting. I have found this has increased since the pandemic.

[DrPepper12]

It's a greeting. In NYC there's a colorful modifier in there tho

[LiamS95]

It could be either depending on the person and/or situation.

[RedInnocent69]

It both. If they have an answer that’s not middle of the road, of course I want to know why and what’s going on.

[Anonymous]

I don't really care, but I assumed it is what normal people do. So to try and fit in, I ask the question. Though I do listen intently to your answer and respond accordingly.

[bananathunder]

just greeting... don't tell me how you are actually doing lol

[AnAmazingGuy]

i really mean it. if you be friend with me you will know. i really ask them and care for them.

[katiesmuff]

It is just a way to greet someone.

[Bklynbadboy12]

I really want to know if I didn't I would ask. I'm from NY we won't speak if we don't want to

[boggboss]

Depends who I'm asking

[Jennz6]

I know, just a way of greeting people?

[Bklynbadboy12]

So if you could say whatever you want what would you say