How are you today? Why do people ask this question?

[Vanguard_Ex]

This should explain everything.

You win, good sir.

 

[Spirit_Of_Fire]

Maybe they want to know how you are? seems a pretty obvious reason there.

 

[TheMatt]

Now I have done it too I admit but I love it when you say to someone "how are you?" and they reply "nothing". or the opposite -

"Hey What's up?" reply "I'm fine, you?"

 

[Baneat]

Social substitute for "I'd like to engage in conversation with you"

 

[Abedeus]

Because then you can say "Bad", he says "Why bad?" and you ask him "Chef, what's a prostitute?" and he's mad.

...Yeah.

 

[SmilingKitsune]

When I ask people how they're doing, it's because I genuinely care about how they are feeling, and if they're feeling a little down, or very down, then maybe I can try and help, or at least offer an sympathetic ear and a shoulder to lean on.

 

[A random person]

It's just small talk, really. No one actually cares and it doesn't go anywhere.

 

[Redlac]

I ask it to find out how people are doing. Usually because I want to actually know.

My reply to this question is usually, "Oh, y'know, I'm getting There. Wherever There is."

 

[Caimekaze]

I am genuinely interested... I like to know how people are, maybe give them a little bit of a lift if they're feeling down.