Conversation stopper instead of starter

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Most of my conversations go like this:

Acquaintance:"Hi Rakoku*, how are you?"
Me:"Fine."
[Awkward silence]
Acquaintance:"Oh, that's good. What's up?"
Me:"Nothing much."
A: "Okay, well see you later."

*Not my real name btw

It's that bad, no joke. Sometimes, I remember to ask them how they're doing or I even respond with the (oh so dorky) "The ceiling." Heck, if I say something other than 'Fine' and/or share a bit about what I'm doing at the moment, it doesn't seem to matter, they don't seem to take the bait. My closest friend says it's because I'm too formal and "awkward somehow". I even practised having a casual back-and-forth conversation with her on the phone but in the end I just gave up because she just... bulldozed through my attempts by interrupting me with talking about her problems.

I can't figure out what I'm doing wrong, I answer their questions in a truthful yet concise and respectful manner and even provide opportunities to ask more questions. Exactly what those "Social Etiquette" books say I should do. Does anyone else have this kind of problem and how do you overcome it?

After stating your answer, ask them the same question, or a similar one.

I think the few times you remembered to ask them, it's greatly delayed.

All you have to say to yourself is this: He's asking me a question about how I'm doing, so in turn I should ask him the same.

Well I think you could make a bit more effort than that.

Having said that, I tend to be conversation killers too.

It goes something like this

John: Hi Chris how was the weekend?
me: Not too bad, had to do lots of work sorting out the garden. The wife had been pressing me for some time but I'm glad I've finally got that job out of the way. Now back to work again ; Monday mornings eh. Sometimes you feel like it's Sunday and then you realise it's actually Monday, isn't that annoying eh John?
John: hmm. um. (someone else walks in) .. Oh Mike hello how are you?
John immediately forgets I am in the room, and Mike & John then go off on a tangent into some obscure conversation that I can't follow.

And then they say it is *me* being the quiet one, not making much of an effort.

The key is tone of voice. Your "Fine" is probably clipped, monotone and a low pitch, which indicates, "I don't want to converse with you" to NT's. Now, it could be you really DON'T want to have a conversation at that moment and aren't making any effort to hide your feelings, or you simply just talk like that. Either way, it's an affect that NT's try to avoid whenever possible, and it's disconcerting when they hear it.

Also, even if you have nothing new to report, as far as how you are and what's going on in your life, you are expected to say SOMETHING. I've taken to saying, when I'm at work, "Just another day in the coal mine," or "Just making a living," in a slightly sing-song voice as I keep moving to wherever I'm going. Whoever asked me how I'm doing usually accepts that as an answer and I'm off the hook.