Fine. (Is this rude?)

[ChallengingFigureANDUnrulyFlaps]

Hello

If I phone a client, is this rude of them?

Me: Hi, it's ChallengingFigure from MyCompany, how are you?
Client: Fine

(client does not say "thanks" or even "how are you?")

This is an existing client btw, not someone I'm cold calling.

What to do you think?

What some on here don’t realise is that those of us calling customers (who have actually asked us to complete some sort of work or financial transaction for them!!), often have to ask how they are or make some sort of small talk. It’s part of the ‘script’ per se. Honestly, now I know who all the grumpy customers are who engage you to do some work but then can’t even be half friendly on the phone. Yet, MN are the first to complain about poor customer service. We can’t win.

I notice it on the radio 4 lunchtime news when they have expert guests on. The reporter will say something like "We have Jo from Thingbusiness on the line. Hello Jo" and sometimes Jo will say, "Thanks for having me on. How are you?" And the reporter will say 'I'm very well. What do you think about this situation?" The ones that 'get it' will just reply "Hello" and wait to be asked a question. The reporter can't afford to waste time.
Well it's the same here.

unless I know them, I simply can’t stand people phoning me and saying ‘how are you?’.

I manage a large team. I get recruiters phoning me at work. I will have spoken to them sporadically. They invariably start with a ‘how are you?’. It’s so insincere, meaningless and annoying.