It really depends on who asks me how I'm doing. Family and friends have a sixth sense when it comes to how I'm doing. Co-workers and regular people will always get the customary, 'I'm fine.'

If somebody actually cares enough to ask how I'm feeling, then I think they deserve the truth. I may not go into a lot of detail because I don't believe it's necessary, but I might say something like "I could be feeling better". I believe that's sufficient.

People I don't know well really don't care...they're asking to be polite, or because it's an acknowledgement-- "Hello" or "How you doing?" amounting to pretty much the same thing...and even people I do know well aren't really interested in hearing me bitch and moan yet again about whatever might be troubling me in life. Now I tend to say, "I''ve been better; I've been worse." Not really a lie, and it saves people from having to enquire more deeply than they really want to about whatever it is that might be ailing you.

I think whether you lie about this depends on how you actually are feeling, who it is that's asking, and whether you really want to burden them with what is bothering you if there is something the matter.

I don't think this neatly falls into whether you are an introvert or extrovert either as the reasons are normally to dependant on the circumstances as previously stated.

Depends on who is asking. Family or friends get a truthful answer. But, let's be honest, most people don't give a fig how you are. It's just polite conversation. I'm not telling a co-worker that I have diarrhea or my fallopian tubes are blocked. Both of which are true more often than not.
I'm also not keen on explaining my personal problems to a stranger. Questions like "So, how's married life?" never get an honest answer!

well, if a friend asks me, i will tell the truth but if a neighbour or co-worker asks me, there is no reason to tell the truth, i don't consider it a lie!

yep, usually I will just say I'm ok, how are you? lol

Depending on whats on my mind, how well I know that person, or if its someone from work ect. Other wise its just the old "I'm good....how are you?" small talk bit.

most of the time I know that people really do not want to know how I am. it is just one of those questions we ask to make conversation and be polite. do they really want another person to go on for awhile giving the details of their health. more than likely they avoid asking the whiners how they are. because they do not want to hear it. Like most people i just say "fine". or "pretty good"even if I feel rotten.

I usually tell the truth, but that's just because "good" or "OK" usually covers it pretty truthfully. I had some problems with a car dealership after they sold me a lemon that stopped running the day after I took it off the lot (if you're in the Iowa City area, stay away from Community Motors), and for the couple weeks that I had to deal with them, every time a salesman asked how I was, I routinely answered with "Not good."

always be positive cause no one wants to hear about your issues!

"alright" is the usual answer. i think it's general enough to cover the inquisitive ground.

My usual answer is, "As well as can be expected."

People really don't want to know and I respect their wishes.

depends on who asks me

I try to play down how i am feeling. Generally just ok or good is my answer. Sometimes i might say sick but i dont like to get into it.

I don't want people to worry

Just depends, I just try to be polite about it.

My standard answer to that question is: "Compared to what?"

1

I'm doing good, you?

When I don't want to get into it I will, or else I'll just rapidly change the subject.

when im upset and dont wanna talk about it.

I know most people consider these questions trivial and always answer with the same generic response. However, I am all about honesty with this, and if I'm not feeling great I'll let the person know. If I feel excellent I'll respond with enthusiasm. If I respond with a simple "Good," then thats the way I'm feeling.

my face show it all

i keep stuff too myself, i wont lie if u ask directly.....but i wont say anything other wise

GO away

I think their are lies on both parts. The vast majority of people don't really care how you are doing and the vast majority of people are going to say "fine" whether they are fine or not.

Hmmm, my theory is don't ask if you really don't want to know, because on any given day you just might get a laundry list from me:-)

I think you are allowed to be as sincere in your reply as the sincereity level of the person  asking.  It's not meant to be a deep probing question.

My answer varies between "fine" to "...uh... ok.. yeah.. fine" whcih most people would know exactly what I mean, therefore I don't consider that I actually lie about it.

I think everyone lies about this....i mean who wants to hear every person's every problem!?

Nobody really cares, it's just a formality.

Who really cares enough to hear the truth?

I always reply, "Fine", no matter how lousy I feel. Anyone who asks you how you are doing does not really want to hear the gory details;she's just trying to make conversation. Case in point: At one of my previous jobs, when I asked a lady how she was doing, she would go into a long spiel about her health, her partner's health and the health of her pets.This woman was a co-worker;we weren't friends!

Okay so I lie about this one all the time.I usually tell people Im good when truthfully I feel like shit,am tired,depressed and didnt want to leave the house or do anything lol.I think everyone lies about that every now and again though.I just do it alot so people arent either like omg she is sooo whiney or get annoyed with me.Truthfully though I usually feel like shit mentally and emotionally.

idc

I usually try to act happy.

People REALLY do not want to know EXACTLY how you are feeling. It is just retorical

If I'm feeling good or alright, I will say good or alright. If I'm feeling lousy or mad, I just give them the "How the f*** do you think I'm feeling" look. It gets the point across.

I know the usual response is fine, okay or something else in a positive vein - even if you're standing there with a case of pneumonia and an arrow through your head.  Personally, I think it's okay to speak the truth - bad OR good.  Just keep it short and try not to launch into the details of your latest colonoscopy and a two page list of current meds.  People tend to appreciate that.

Not to mention that its sometimes rude and inappropriate to go on about your problems with other people in certain situations. Sometimes it might sound somewhat self-centered to go on about your problems. "How are you" is more of a reflexive phrase, a type of greeting. It doesn't necessarily mean that you should share your soul with the person asking. You could be having a bad day and still say you're well to people you ask.

I don't ever really lie about this. If someone asks me how I'm feeling and I feel like crap, I just say "I've been better, but its nothing for anyone to worry about."

Yeah, I do this a lot.

Even when I feel like death warmed over,Iwill not tell everyone that is how I feel.

I think most everyone has lied about how they really are feeling for a few different reasons. They aren't in the mood to discuss what's bothering them....they feel it's a waste of time, or YOU aren't the person they want to talk about it. Such is life!

People who usually do this may have a serious problem going on and are not looking for any sympathy and the last thing they want to do is talk. If your a perceptive person you wouldn't even need to ask this person how they are, you'd know from their facial expressions and behaviour.

Often the person asking this does not really want to know anyway.This has become a standard greeting in our culture.Some folks really care,though-and some people will also tell you if they are in bad (or good) shape when asked.

Well, I was doing fine until the waitress burnt my toast..not that I even ordered toast...but you'd think that if they were going to give you some complimentary toast then at least they wouldn't have burned it...and speaking of being burnt...ya know what burns me? Senseless people burn me...this planet is nothing but a lousy concoction of lame, mouth breathing ambients...neandering about and asking stupid rhetorical questions...all at the same time pathetically straining to show some type interest in an equally apathetic rejoinder...don't ask me "how I am"...you should be asking me "how my toast is"...after all, you'll still end up with the same answer..."Fine. Can I have more coffee, please?" (damn planet)

Not neccessary. I just say "As well as could be expected, considering the circumstances".