Greet and walk

Americans are quite the quirky characters. They love, love, love to ask everyone how they are doing and then walk away or don't answer when they are asked the same. It's just a cultural thing and part of the greeting. Unfortunately, this practice makes Americans seem insincere. They ask about your well-being, but don't really mean it nor do they care to hear about how you are.

For instance, you are in an office and a colleague walks by. Someone might say "Hi, how are you?" and then walk on. You might possibly answer in a number of ways:

1. Fine, thanks. How are you? (This formal option is a bit lengthy and people don't have time for lengthy answers about your toothache or the DIY project you just started. ;-) )
2. Fine, thanks.
3. Any variation of the above

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Proust question of the day: The quality you most admire in a man?

A certain "laidbackness" (I think I just made up a word) or quiet confidence that things will turn out right in the end. Quiet confidence is the opposite of arrogance.
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About the picture: This image of a bus was taken in the evening. The public transportation system in San Francisco is called Muni. Everyone in San Francisco likes to bash Muni because it never comes on time, or worse sometimes it just does not show up.