Yes LH, that is often the case, although it depends on the person and their circumstances. Sometimes they appreciate more than the automatic response.

I tried it out one day at the supermarket checkout and I was glad I did. The gals and guys at the checkout always say "How are you today?" They've been told to say it, obviously. The most they expect back would be a mumbled "All right thanks" or "Fine". One day a particularly tired and bored-looking girl at the checkout asked me the usual question. I'd had a particularly shitty day myself, and decided to actually say so, instead of the usual mumbled answer. So I said "Well actually, it's been a b****r of a day!"

She was surprised at first, then smiled, and we actually had a proper conversation like a couple of human beings instead of automatons. By the time I left, we BOTH felt better.