There are some typical answers. The response you give is expected to be better than the truth. If you give an answer that is negative in the least, it may be assumed that you are about to die. Here they are in order of worst to best (typical answers.) Not good = deathly ill - take me to the hospital Ok = sad or ill fine = ok Just fine = do not ask me anymore questions today pretty good = fine Good = as usual Great = good Just great = do not ask anymore questions fabulous = I am hiding my true state of being After answering, if you choose, you can ask them the same, or "you are looking good too."

If someone asks you how you are doing, you can say: Just fine, thank you; I'm doing pretty good; Well, fine now, but I have had a bad cold; So, so. I need to get more rest. How about you? I'm great! Thank you for asking. How is your family? This really is a greeting, and they probably are not interested in all the details. Just respond positively, and ask how they are doing.