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?

[BrokenDream]

online, I say I'm fine or great.

In the real world I say good. but depends on the person in the real world. if my day has been crap, I will tell my Mom. but I usually say good to my Grandma, even if my day was bad because she just talks too much.

it's like you explain something, and then you think they are going to stop, and they don't. I love her, but yeah..