How do you answer, "How are you?" Options

[*mipadi*]

I noticed something recently: whenever someone asks me "How are you?" or "How's it going" or "How're you doing?" or some related question, I invariably answer the same way: "Pretty good." I do it without even thinking. I can be having an awesome day, and I still answer "Pretty good." I can be having a rotten day (which is rare), and I still answer "Pretty good."

And furthermore, most days are just fine. "Pretty good", it seems, is ambiguous--people sometimes take it to mean that the day isn't great, but isn't bad, either. I probably should be at least answered "Great" or "Really good" as my default answer.

But to the point: do you have a different reply each time someone asks you that question that actually tells them how the day really is going, or, like me, do you just have a single answer, no matter how bad (or good) the day is?

[jackizzle]

when some one says "how are you" to me i usually just say "peachy keen" its something my aunt says so i guess ive just pickedit up. i'll say it even if im having a good day or not. i just like the way it sounds