How are you – to be or not to be when talking to Russians

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When youmeet any English-speaking person, you hear 'Hello, how are you?' or just 'oh!How are you?'. I already got used to that and quickly – while passing – answer'thank you, hello' or just 'how are you?'. I LEARNT to do that, thoughsometimes i am still confused about that. Why? Let me explain)
WhenRussians meet, they say «Ð—дравÑ�твуйте»  to people they meet for the first time or tothose who are elder or higher in the hierarchy . Literary it means ‘Be healthy’(здоровье – turns tothe stem здрав  - zdrav and then came toimperative zdrav-stvuite). For friends we use Privet (hi) – привет!  Sometimes we may say «Ð—дорово» , which is also ‘hi’, but keeps the old meaning wishing health.  It is a good manner to smile when you greetsomeone.
Then itdepends on the person you greet. You may just pass if there’s nothing todiscuss with him. Or you may spend few minutes to learn how is your friend. Andhere we ask ‘How are you?’ – «ÐºÐ°Ðº дела?», «ÐºÐ°Ðº Ñ‚Ñ‹», «Ð½Ñƒ как поживаешь»(how do you live), «ÐºÐ°ÐºÐ¸Ðµ новоÑ�ти» (anything new?)
So whatdoes it mean? It means that Russians use this question when they REALLY what toask how are you. And it means that they expect to get the answer. What kind ofthe answer – that already depends on your politeness (it’s already another –and very interesting - thing to discuss). As well as smiling – this issomething that shouldn’t be formal (well, we speak about everyday life, notbusiness etiquette that is usually very formal), and requires a sincerequestion and sincere answer.