It usually seems, to me at least, that the proper and expected response is a mix of "Good!" and/or just returning the "How are you?" "Meh", "Ugh", and other ac

It usually seems, to me at least, that the proper and expected response is a mix of "Good!" and/or just returning the "How are you?" "Meh", "Ugh", and other actual emotions don't seem to fit my idea of what the other person wants to hear. Those invite conversation, or almost hint at asking for a conversation. I don't think that's what the other person usually wants. I've taken to mechanically translating "how are you?" into an emotionless "hi". I agree though, it's all very weird. Americans don't seem to just say "hi" very often.