[tristor]

FWIW, I'm American but well-traveled/encultured, and I work a lot with people in other parts of the world. I ask this question, and I use it as an opportunity for the other person to set the tone of the conversation. I actually find it pretty refreshing when I get a blunt and meaningful answer in response, it's one reason I love working with Dutch and German engineers, because they will give a real answer and not be so concerned as to how it may be perceived.

I think it's exactly a bit like a modem preamble, but it's an opportunity to create a conversation and give both people in the conversation a chance to set the tone. It can really be used to genuinely find out the answer to the question, but a lot of people don't want to share their personal challenges with strangers, coworkers, or even acquaintances. You may not enough know exactly what level of intimacy is included in your relationship with another person or whether you are at the point to move to that next level, this simple question gives them the opportunity to either dive into something that's very personal or to keep it light-hearted and move along.

It's not a throwaway, it's a respectful way to start a conversation that gives the other person agency in setting the tone.