Be careful not to confuse “how are you” and “how do you do.” How are you is a question and requires an answer: I’m fine, thanks or Not too bad (see Asking about Someone’s Well-Being, page 22-23). How do you do looks like a question but is really a greeting, and it is acceptable to respond with How do you do, or one of the phrases that follow. If you want to know about someone’s health, it’s better to ask, How are you feeling? or How are you?