How are you ?

When a solicitor calls you on the phone and asks "How are you?" does he/she really want to know? No. In fact that question is a dead give-a-way. I immediately hang up. When you meet a friend on the street and he asks "How are you?" after saying hello, ordinarily it is just to extend the greeting, in the absence of something else to say. When I was waiting in a doctor's office yesterday, several persons were called by staff and led back to private rooms. In each instance the staff member asked in a perfunctory manner while leading the patient to a room, "How are you?" The answer was always postive, regardless of the patient's condition. So what can we substitute for the usual meaningless question? One suggestion: "It's good to see you." Or if you look right at the person and just say his name clearly, that may be enough. If you are walking outside, you can comment on the weather. What do you think?
LSmith6100@kc.rr.com