Is "How are you?" considered a real question or just a greeting?

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bookworm

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Sometimes when I'm walking by someone they'll say "how are you" instead of hi, hello, hey, etc. Sometimes I'm not sure if they really are asking how I'm doing or if it has entered etiquette as a greeting. I've answered hi as well as saying "Good" or "Great, and you?" and sometimes I get an answer, and sometimes I don't.

Today a co-worker thought something was wrong because I didn't answer the question, thinking she was just passing by and it wasn't worth actually responding. Other times I've had co-workers ask "how are you" in passing but they didn't respond when I replied back.

Anyone know what I'm talking about? If it matters, I was in different parts of the United States when these occasions occurred, so I assume it's not a regional thing.
 
It's a standard polite greeting. The usual response is, "Fine. How're you doing?" Neither person is expected to actually say what's going on in their life, whether horrible or wonderful. That's generally the end of the exchange. If they really do want to know, they'll reply, "No, really – how have you been?"

Over in England, I'm told, the polite exchange goes like this, as a greeting or an introduction:
"How do you do?"
"How do you do?" (They may or may not shake hands. And that's all.)
 
It's just a standard greeting. I really don't think that the person that is asking really cares how you are doing.

I have an interesting questions: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AquBKntwD4VQ.xvk6e.Pmjnsy6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20110329201258AAFzoyd
 
I hate that phrase. Usually I just respond with a "good, how are you?" etc, but I never use it. I don't know where "Hi" and "Hello" went, but I want them back.
 
There's no way to tell which one it is, it's annoying. Your best bet is to watch if the person keeps walking after they say it, that way you can see if they are just saying hi or if they wanna strike up a conversation
 
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