[General] How are you? I'm fine thank you

[Vascillious]

What is the name for common stock questions in social exchanges?

For example:

"How are you?"
"I'm fine thank you".

 

[probus]

Well, Vascillious, given that you are a British academic and a native speaker of English, I'm curious to know what you think about the question you've asked. I've heard some people refer to such exchanges as small talk, but that's not quite what small talk means to me.

 

[tedmc]

Exchange of pleasantries?

 

[Tarheel]

Greetings.