I agree with you about "how are you?" as a form of social glue (social lubricant?). It bugs the hell out of me when people ask without wanting any kind of honest response. The habit of passing an acquaintance in a corridor / in the street, saying "hey, how are you?" and keeping on walking past them is especially annoying.

I only ask people when I really care about their answer, and I will listen to / accept either a surface form answer or the truth.