Always remember that human language primarily serves to maintain social bonds, not to exchange information. Giving rote answers to rote questions is perfectly acceptable.
I've solved this problem forever. If I like them I'll just smile and say "better now". If I don't, it's "living the dream". My approach is flawless in every scenario.
You must also ask them a question. Otherwise you are in violation of ṫ̴̖̬h̴̳̙̏̿e̵͎̎ ̸̬̑ș̴͙̋ơ̷̞ͅç̴͔̃i̵̛̠̹͠a̸̠͘l̴͙̘̇́ ̶̞̈́̚č̸͖̤̀ó̷̦n̶̙̬̚ṫ̷̤̤r̷̻̽̏ȁ̸͓̳̿c̶̳̉t̷̛̩̋