"Hi, how are you?" ?

[Matte__86]

Hello, how are you?

What’s up with that? How am I supposed to reply to that?
"I'm fine, thanks for asking. How are you?" I guess not.

Situation at random jeans shop:
Me - *puts jeans on the counter.*
Clerk - Hi, how are you?
Me - ????

Am I supposed to say "Hi." and not answer the question at all? Isn't it rude?
Where I come from (Sweden) you are more or less obliged to answer such a question, not to be appearing rude.

I mean, why ask me something if you don't want an answer? :confused:


This post may not make any sense at all, this question has just been bugging my mind for a while now.
:)

[Ninjahedge]

Common response to this would be "Fine, how are you?".

Few asking really want to know how you are. Some will, but they usually know you and would be concerned if you were not feeling good (and some would try to help).

You can get partly serious if you have either a pleasant story or only mildly disturbing one, but most people will only want to hear it if it is short, and you do not seem TOO serious about it!

So don't take it too seriously yourself. Someone asks, say basically how you feel.

"OK, how are you?"
"I've been better, but haven't we all?" ;)
"Horrible!!!! I wish I could find a tall enough building to jump from!" (just kidding).

[Gunslinger]

Yeah, good thanks

And leave it at that