I feel it’s nice to ask out of politeness. If I run into an acquaintance I ask how they are doing. It seems like basic social grace to me. Of course, I don’t expect them to go into a whole story while meeting in passing. It would just be a quick response and then we go about our way.

The friend I gave TMI, I was really in trauma and it blurted out. Right after that, I learned (on this forum) how people feel about TMI and I was so embarrassed!

The friend who was so curt, well that was just her personality. I wasn’t even put off by it, I thought it was funny. Though I would have liked to have another friend.

People used to conform more to societal norms like asking how you are and probably pretending to care….but so what? I thought that was nicer than being honest to someone’s face that you really don’t care about them. Now, people generally (in USA?) are brutally honest and make no pretense about not giving a hoot.

I kinda like phoney caring better. And some people truly do care, taking a moment to connect on a human level and make someone feel good.