When you ask someone the question of "how are you" or "how you doing"...?

Question

When you say/ask "how are you?" or "how you doing?" to someone, do you ask because you really do care about how they're feeling at the moment, or you just ask because it's just a common appropriate thing to do, and it's just a "just because"? (and you don't care how they really feel)

Answer 1

According to who they are actually, lol. My boss because its proper, my friends because I care, lol.

Answer 2

I ask to start off a conversation politely and at the same time I really do care how they are.

Answer 3

I generally do it on the phone because I have nothing else to say except maybe hi. It makes the conversation less awkward and opens people up.

Answer 4

I ask because I do care.

Answer 5

It depends on who I'm asking. Most of the time, I ask just to be polite.

Answer 6

in all honesty, and now that i am thinking about it...it sounds mean, but it's just a common thing to do, half the time i'm not even listening to their answer.

Answer 7

I would not ask it unless I genuinely cared....it also is a form of proper manners where I come from...

Answer 8

when i ask that question i really do care. i do care about people and their feelings. however fyi, you can get violation notices for asking such questions. good luck.

Answer 9

I care or I wouldn't waste their time.

Answer 10

my neighbors in my building ask me all the time how i'm doing
i say fine thanx and yourself and then go on my way