Are you alright?

I've been interested by how some people here in England will ask "Are you alright" instead of "How are you?"

For a woman who feels like a fish out of water, this question is particularly amusing because it immediately gets me thinking "Why did she just ask me if I'm alright? Do I look tired? Did I do something so ridiculous that she wants to know what is wrong with me?"

But, after using my keen observation skills, I realized that this is how some people here inquire about your general well being. I'm alright, you're alright. :)