How are you?

One of the least genuine questions in the English language.

The thing I can't stand and will never do myself:  "Hey, how are you, so I was wondering if ..."  I hate it when people say, "How are you?" and don't wait to hear your answer.

Another thing I don't like:  You're tired, you're hungry, you're worried, sleep-deprived, in a life crisis, etc.  And some stranger, say, the cashier at a grocery store, asks you, "How are you?"  I say, "Good, thanks."  What else am I supposed to say?  What else are they expecting me to say??  Nothing.  They don't really care, and I don't expect them to.  So why ask in the first place?  I don't like it.  Then, I find myself doing it to other people.

I do like "Have you eaten?" -- yes or no question.  No pressure to lie.  If you say, "No," they're gonna fetch you something to eat.  There's a purpose in the question.

Apologies for the pessimism!  I do like how-are-you's exchanged between friends and family who actually do care about the answer.