How you doin'? Good. How you doin'?

Most of the time it doesn't mean much, and it's not a question. It's used instead of "hi" or "hello". When a person uses that statement, I simply try to say okay. And, I try to answer before the person can continue speaking. But, they usually just ramble on.  Most people are so used to saying 'how you doin' that they do it automatically. They really don't mean to be insensitive.

Even if I should answer in the negative, I find that half the time the person just acts like I said nothing. Others comment with 'oh, I'm sorry to hear that' and continue on with their ramblings. Once in a while I encounter someone who does show a genuine interest in my answer.

Are we so engrossed in our daily affairs that we are missing something? It would not take but a couple of seconds to exchange greetings. If one doesn't want to wait for the other person to make a response, then use a different greeting. Instead of using 'how you doin', try 'hello' or 'good morning'. That way you are not really expected to wait for a response.

I like to watch old movies and listen to how they greeted each other. A common manner of greeting was "how do you do?" Sometimes the recipient was able to respond. Usually, the other person just responded with the exact greeting. A sign of the times, I suppose.

And, with the rise in popularity of The Sopranos T.V show, I notice that there is even more use of the statement "how you doin'?" It's just another inane statement formed like a question.

When greeting someone, it usually is a simple statement. I say hello. But, even I sometimes find myself greeting someone with 'how you doin'. However, I do try to at least wait for a response.