When you ask somebody 'How are you doing' do you ......

for the most part I think that it's just a phrase we say when we see someone. We don't want a life story as an explanation, just a simple I am doing ok or everything is fine. At least that is how I have perceived it all of my life. If someone does need to talk, I will tell them to call me later if they want to talk about their problems or if something is going on in their life.

When I ask someone how they are doing, I really mean it. I don't just say it like a lot of people do and walk on. I really weant to know how they are without actually being nosey. I am more concerned about how they really are.

I do not ask that question unless I fully intend to listen to them. I ask people that question because I see something in their face or eyes that indicates they need to talk.

I have wondered this myself. I just say hi to someone but you would be surprised at the times I hear people saying hi and than following it with how are you doing? I don't say how are you doing unless I am prepared to sit and listen to what they have to say regarding how they are doing. When I am talking to my friends I do ask them how they are doing and I truly want to hear what they have to say whether it has been a good or a bad day I do listen when they are talking to me about that.

Ah, the most common rhetorical question. I think for most it really is rhetorical, but when I ask someone I really do want to know how they've been.

i of course do listen bcoz i believe that every word I ask is with genuine concern for that person n moreover i feel happy when everything n every1 around me is FINE!!!!!!

I try not to ask that anymore, because I don't know if it's a question one can answer properly... I mean, for someone to really describe how they are doing, the one that asks the question must know a great deal on them, so they can really understand. A simple "Fine" response is as useless as the question... I really don't know what to respond when people ask me that, so I ask them to skip the question and get to whatever we have to discuss.

I have to be honest on this one. There are times when I ask this just to be polite, but most of the time, I don't ask at all. Some people will hold you there and tell you every little issue in their life. You want to run off, but you will only seem rude. Besides, you did ask.