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

[lacktheknack]

It's conversation starter. I open my mouth to greet someone... nothing comes to mind... I desperately lock into autopilot and hope I say something that DOESN'T make me sound idiotic... "So how are you today?"

 

[teisjm]

Because starting a conversation with information such as weight, color and density of the last dump you took is considered wrong.

 

[Timme_Woot]

I ask it:
a) To start conversation.
b) Because I genuinely care how other people are sometimes (sympathy is a difficult one to master but trust me some people can feel it!)
c) To be polite. If somebody is looking down I'm not just going to ignore that.

double lol.

 

[ReZerO]

I always say i'm surviving, if i get a reaction i know they are paying attention and actually care, if not then i know they don't.

 

[Skeleon]

Because it shows concern.
That they care about how you feel.
Even if some of them don't really and are just being polite.
Nothing wrong with it either way.

 

[Altorin]

the question, in the usual context, is to gauge a person's temperament to determine how to continue the conversation. If someone say's they're good, you can go on as if they're good, if they say they're bad, it gives you an easy segue into a conversation about what's bad.

It's also a matter of common courtesy to show come concern or interest into your friends peace of mind.

 

[revolverwolf]

Why do people ask this question?

To find out how you are doing today. It's not an exam style question. You're not getting marked down if you don't show your working. It's a simple greeting that shouldn't need to be questioned.

 

[manicfoot]

Its small talk and completely pointless. If you say anything but the automated "I'm ok. How about you?" people look at you like you're crazy.

 

[EeveeElectro]

It's just phatic talk, I like to make sure my friends are okay.
Better than 'What's up?' -___-
My friend asked me how I was and didn't expect a huge essay about my bad day.

 

[Agayek]

It's considered polite, for one thing.

And as said, it is a somewhat decent way to start a conversation, especially with someone you don't know all that well.

 

[Jindrak]

Option needed to for "Required to by place of employment."

 

[Woem]

I don't ask this question unless I really want to know how someone is doing and if I'm ready to not hear an "oh everything's fine". I think it's a question not to be taken too lightly, and definitely not one to be asked out of courtesy. If you want to be courteous and start a "happy" conversation, then just start with a compliment.

 

[EMFCRACKSHOT]

I say it to be cpntraversial

It also shows you care you unfeeling, heartless bastards

 

[MasterMuffinMan]

I never use it. Call me unsociable, but I see no point in starting a conversation with someone (especially over IM) when I have nothing to say particularly. I see it as a way of guilting someone into talking to you. You ask how they are, they feel like a bastard if they ignore or reject your well-meaning inquiry into their personal well-being.

But what gets me the most is when people use it to re-start a conversation on IM.

...
"How are you?"
"Well, given that it was 15 minutes since you last asked that and there has been no outbreak of cholera or nuclear war, I'd hazard a guess that I'm about the same as I was before!"

 

[Harlemura]

People say it to me because they actually want to know what's up with me.
I say no if I want to as well. It usually ends the conversation, but I'd say it anyway.

 

[Simalacrum]

I dunno, do you say it?

how are you, by the way?