(philosophical question) do you think faking happiness or kindness is the same as lying? e.g. when someone asks you how your doing you give the generic answer: good. - or is it something else?

I would really like to know the answer... preferably I prefer someone to be truthful regardless of first impressions or whatever. I think the better first impression is being able to be truthful --- however (backpedaling?) it's not like I want someone to come at me with their heart on their sleeve or something similar and to tell me their life story (at least all at once).

Is there a happy medium?

I don't mean to have it sound like a loaded question - I'm just being honest here. Has human interaction really come to mere salesmanship of ones self and a full rejection of what you really are? I just don't know anymore. :P