"How do you do?" vs "How are you?"

"How do you do?" vs "How are you?"

If I had a Euro for every time someone got this one wrong - I'd be a rich bunny! How do you do? This is not a question. It is another, very formal way of saying "Hello." It is also very British. The correct response is; "Pleased to meet you." or "How do you do." or just "Hello." We only really use it the first time we meet someone. How are you? This is a question, but the person asking it doesn't really want to know the truth about your aching back or hangover. A polite response is; "I'm fine thanks. And you?"