im asian, and we don’t normally ask that 😂. even if we do, usually its between friends and supposed to show genuine intention to want to know how you are doing. even if not answered honestly, its a way to start the conversation going.
i’ve been in the uk/europe for the past half a year and always meet ppl whom i barely know who ask this question. it might be ppl that im meeting for the first time at school, baristas, service crew, etc. how are you supposed to answer this question, and what is the purpose of asking this instead of just saying hi and taking your order, for example?