Thema: Sometimes questions are hard to answer

I hate being asked this question. When people do this, I always go into a long diatribe about this problem or that problem..... well, they never ask again......

The question is basically rhetorical, they don't really want an answer....... I hate that, waste of time.

In my opinion, just stop faking it. If others don't like it, they don't like it. They can't fault your honesty, at least.
I am currently a research subject in a comprehensive autism neurological study, and the more I have the severity of my autism examined, the more I learn the value of "owning it," in the vernacular.
I am beginning to refuse to answer emotionally based questions dishonestly. I will not respond with "good," "great," as accepted, or even "fine." I am not any of those things. What I generally am is "average," or "neutral." And that is what I say.
I'm finding that behaving in the ways you describe only causes me troubles - if gives a false representation of me, encourages people to develop inaccurate expectations, and garners hostility from them when I am found to be different, as if I tricked them on purpose. Ultimately I believe I, and those who deal with me, would be better off with a more honest approach.

CV, I think what you are doing is a good approach.

I hate it when those questions are asked in a "making conversation" way. If you can't say something profound, then don't just say "making conversation" stuff.

@ DXS - often this kind of question is included in "small talk," which is a notorious area of autistic misinterpretation.
I often really don't understand the purpose of this kind of conversation, as it seems to have no utility but to provide emotional comfort for neurotypical peoples and make me uneasy. The counsellor argued that people need this pointless prattle in order to avoid committing some kind of social faux pas and "over share" with someone who doesn't care, but I argued that is no excuse. There must be a middle ground - one is able to engage in a conversation with interest and purpose without revealing too much personal information, especially dependent on context. What is wrong with, for example, approaching someone at a photography class you are attending and discussing equipment, software, styles, subject, etc which is actually relevant, instead of engaging in pointless noise, such as asking about feelings or families or children.
/ rant, sorry.

I DESPISE small talk. It's pointless. In fact, when I call a credit card co about an issue, I HATE the "how are you today" crap because THEY DON'T CARE! I just say, "I want to get to the point....."