The required answer is "Good" regardless of the true state of affairs.

This is completely alien to Brits.

I picture the average Kiwi after a major road accident being asked "How are ya, mate?" and replying "Good, thanks - hey, has anyone seen my legs?"

Now travelling Brits will generally soon pick up on this and endeavour (being polite people) to fall in with the local ways.

However, deep withing their souls they are really channeling Marvin the Paranoid Android and gritting their teeth to stop explaining about the dicky tummy, the pain all down their left side, the recurring problem with the left knee, the strange rash that the doctors just don't seem to be able to cure and the sinus pain that just makes them want to hide in a dark room with a warm moist cloth over their face. And have you seen anything like this before? The nurse said she hadn't and the doctor fainted. Well, I said, it's been far worse than that let me tell you....

So next time a Brit reples "Good" you will understand what they really mean.

Cheers

LGC