Shattered Sanity, That response from the person would have given me brain freeze. You let yourself open up a bit, and instead of light, you got mud. I am so sorry.
I also think our standard greetings are empty too often. But I contribute, because I reveal myself only cautiously. I hope to be strong and brave enough someday to be more honest if I am to engage in the How are you business. I do think most people don't even want to know the truth, though. It's just hello blahblah blah we are passing each other.