It's a US cultural thing for sure [0]. Just say something like "good", "fine", "ok", and maybe follow up and ask it back. And I'm not surprised people said the

It's a US cultural thing for sure [0]. Just say something like "good", "fine", "ok", and maybe follow up and ask it back. And I'm not surprised people said they were sincere when asked about it. By confronting them about it, you put them on the spot with two options: claim sincerity, or admit insincerity. The third hidden true option of "It's a US culture thing, don't read too much into it" isn't something most people are consciously aware of. Thus, of the two available options, they pick the one that doesn't put them in the wrong. [0] https://youtu.be/vnh05tEinNY https://youtu.be/vnh05tEinNY