The thing is where I grew up, the pace of life is slower and people actually pause what they are doing to talk to you - so when you are asked how are you, they actually want to hear a response which would then extend to how your family members are doing - when I came here I didn't know How are you was the new hello and it didn't warrant a response - sometimes I'd be busy formulating a response while the speaker has already walked on

New culture, new lessons :)