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[–]begonia_skies 5 insightful - 1 fun5 insightful - 0 fun6 insightful - 1 fun -  (3 children)

Haha, yes my German friends hate the "how are you?" greeting in America that is expected to be met with a "good" or a "fine". In their eyes, "how are you?" is a question for putting on a pot of tea and listing health and life problems for 45 mins. I've tried to explain, it's really just a greeting and not meant to be taken literally, but I can see how that may come across as fake or insincere.

[–]florasis 5 insightful - 3 fun5 insightful - 2 fun6 insightful - 3 fun -  (2 children)

How are you is a normal saying in Italy too. It's just a way to greet someone and you aren't supposed to really tell your problems. Seem like italian and american culture are ways more similar. Did you find USA more funny to live in?

[–]VioletRemi 4 insightful - 1 fun4 insightful - 0 fun5 insightful - 1 fun -  (1 child)

Here "how are you" is used as a greetings, but you should reply to it. So it is often "How are you?" - "I am not very well, and you?" - "I'm fine. Long time haven't seen you". Etc.

[–]florasis 5 insightful - 1 fun5 insightful - 0 fun6 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

Same