Sometimes you already [know] what someone is doing. (at one level)
These drawbacks are all limited. In my experience, it’s almost always more effective to ask “what are you doing” rather than “how are you doing.” If you retain this habit over time, you may experience more enlightening conversations and a slightly enlivened social life.
And perhaps the times when you ask ‘how are you doing’ will be slightly more impactful.
And perhaps the times when you ask ‘how are you doing’ will be slightly more impactful.