I realize the subject of this post might make me sound like an ass, but hear me out.

Everyone you meet, including strangers (at least in the US), the question is always asked "How are you doing?" and then the reply is usually a stock answer of, "Good" or "I'm doing well" etc followed the other person asking "How are you doing?" and then that person replies with the same stock answer.

The problem is we go through this same ritual many times a day with anyone we meet and it's the same song and dance. I honestly do care how people are doing, but this little exchange of pleasantries has nothing to do with how a person is ACTUALLY doing.

If a coffee barista were to ask how I was doing and I replied with "I'm doing horrible. I've got the squirts and my car didn't start" that person would look at you like you're crazy. They'd be thinking "Dude, just say you're doing well and move on with your day".

So if this going back and forth with this "how are you doing?" doesn't really have anything to do with people are ACTUALLY doing then why do we do it? I'd be good with just an exchange of "Hey", but that's just me.

I traveled to France last year and when we got coffee etc the exchange was "bonjour" which is saying hello and moving on.

Like I said, I do care how people are doing, but I do so in an honest manner and not just as a social nicety.

Am I just an ass or does common exchange amongst strangers annoying to anyone else?