Yes, I noticed that in the time I was in England. Everyone was asking 'how are you', even the clerks at the supermarket. This bothered me at first because I was

Yes, I noticed that in the time I was in England. Everyone was asking 'how are you', even the clerks at the supermarket. This bothered me at first because I wasn't used to it, and it is kind of nonsense to ask that to a random person, especially if you're in a hurry to help the next client. Then again, it's a pre-programmed courtesy expecting a pre-canned reponse. Once you get used to it it bothers less...