Speaking of which, help me avoid making a similar thread:
When American tourists come up and say "How are you?", what's the proper response? I've tried everything (like answering, for example saying "Good, and you?". Or ignoring it as a question and responding with "How are you?" or "Hi"), and I always got some sort of bewildered hesitation in return.
I'm guessing "how are you" isn't seen as another form of "hello" in other places like in the US but honestly I don't really see an issue with those responses you give either.