Phatic Communication

I thought that this was an extremely interesting concept just in everyday life. When we see people on campus that we know, but aren't extremely good friends with, what is the first few things that you say to them? Hey, How are you? How have you been? Everyone knows that this is simply mindless chatter, but to be completely honest I never would have thought that an actual communication process would be made to describe this. I never see it as disrespectful, I see it as an attempt to remain friendly with that person and acknowledge them, even if you don't have much to say.