Here's another data point. In South Africa, in black African culture (can't be more specific than this, unfortunately), it is considered polite to enquire after someone else's health when greeting: "hello, how are you". Or rather it's considered rude NOT to enquire. The standard response is "I'm fine thanks, and you?".
When I listened to talk radio in South Africa years ago, I remember white people calling in, and wondering why the automatic response to the phrase "hello" was often "I'm fine thanks and you".
When I listened to talk radio in South Africa years ago, I remember white people calling in, and wondering why the automatic response to the phrase "hello" was often "I'm fine thanks and you".