How come people ask you how you are?

Question

Then they really don't listen to the answer. Sometimes I say I am very sick. They respond ..oh good good..well see ya dude

Answer 1

"How are you?" is just a social nicety. People ask to be polite.

Just for the hell of it, I like to say "I feel horrible..." and then complain a few minutes, until people are eager to escape :-)

(I'm not much for social niceties lol)

Answer 2

They do it out of habit. Most of the time people don't really care how you are doing. That is what they've been taught to ask when addressing people. Especially if they have not seen them in a while.

Answer 3

I say it because I know when something is bothering a person, usually they want to talk about it. And sometimes talking about a problem, helps that person feel better.