In some ways it sounds like you're describing me. I don't tend to do subtle. I do tend to give honest answers.

I _may_ say "ok" to someone at work, if I judge the person who asked how I was to be someone with whom I would not discuss my problems. Ok being somewhat more polite than "nothing going on I'd want to discuss with you" and less likely to create bad feelings. (I am a "T", not an "F", but I've learned by making a set of mistakes.)