Why does my doctor always say ‘how are you?’ as I walk in her office?

What am I supposed to do with that? Am I supposed to say ‘fine’ as is the polite, expected pattern with this question? Am I supposed to summarize my illness while I’m still faffing about sitting down and taking my jacket off? Am I supposed to launch into a detailed breakdown of my symptoms while I walk across the office? Or should I ignore her until I’ve sat down? WHAT??

I wish she would wait until I was sitting down. I wish she would just say ‘hello’ as I walk in the door. Then when I am sitting down and we can start talking properly, maybe ask me what I came for or whatever.

But ‘How are you?’ as soon as I get a foot in the room just confuses the fuck out of me. It’s a set-piece conversation thingy with a fixed answer: ‘Fine, thanks.’ So I always end up saying ‘fine’ and then awkwardly segueing into how entirely un-fine I am.

I am so socially awkward. You can imagine. I have this much trouble just going to the doctor’s…

:?