I'm French. When I went to Los Angeles for my work, I had no idea that "How are you?" Was a rethorical question. It got me quite a few surprised stares until I picked it up. I still cannot ask it, though; am I being disgustingly rude for saying "Good evening" instead?
I had this same diary it was like Junie B Jones theme and there were two matching prompts you would do one and the character would have filled out the other matching side
I'm one of those people that don't lie when I'm asked this question because I like to be correct/honest. If I'm having a rough day and you ask me then I will tell you straight up. Don't ask if you don't actually want to know, it bugs the crap out of me even though I know it's just a social thing. Like another way of saying 'hi'. I'm also one of those annoying people who points and says 'that way' when someone asks me 'what's up'. I just like things to be...correct, accurate, precise, honest - stuff like that. Call it OCD if you like.
On the other hand, though, my boyfriend will never get the infuriating 'nothing' response when he asks me 'what's wrong?'. He will know what is wrong, he will know if he's the cause, he will know what he did if anything, and he will know what to do to fix it whether it's 'just sit there and play your game while I talk at you, I don't need a response I just need to talk' or 'chocolate now, fetch'. So there's some give and take, I think.
On the other hand, though, my boyfriend will never get the infuriating 'nothing' response when he asks me 'what's wrong?'. He will know what is wrong, he will know if he's the cause, he will know what he did if anything, and he will know what to do to fix it whether it's 'just sit there and play your game while I talk at you, I don't need a response I just need to talk' or 'chocolate now, fetch'. So there's some give and take, I think.