Nah, i don't think so, because most people (me included) wouldn't actually care and then it would devolve into meaningless politeness. I prefer that only the people (like you) who actually care signal that they care.
I think he meant that everyone should care, not just that everyone should say the words.
I guess its really up to you whether you want to do it or not, but it is a pleasant attribute
Actually, if you do certain things while saying the words, it will help make you care.
There are two things you need to do:
(1) say it intentionally. Pay attention to how you say it, and deliver it earnestly with your head up and be prepared to
(2) listen to the response. Give due consideration to the answer and don't dismiss it. This is a window into someone else's life: treasure it, regard it with curiosity, but not intrusively.
Most people will start actually caring about the other person as a result of doing this a few times.
I have a coworker who, upon arriving to the office every morning, walks by my desk and asks* "How are you doing?" and every morning I say "fine" with varying levels of sarcasm (and eyerolls). Does she ever notice my tone? Nope. She just parrots back "that's good!"
Most of the time, I think people are programmed to ask out of some socially expected behavior...but I'm pretty sure they don't want to hear what the actual answer is.
"Well, I woke up to my cat knocking a vase off a table and having to clean up broken glass at 2:30 in the morning. Then when my alarm went off, I got out of bed and stepped right in a pile of cat puke. Oh, I'm also crampy and I hate this job."
Somehow I don't think that will go over too well.
____
* as much as one can ask when their face is engaged in whatever is on their smartphone and not what's going on in front of them.
Nah, i don't think so, because most people (me included) wouldn't actually care and then it would devolve into meaningless politeness. I prefer that only the people (like you) who actually care signal that they care.