Phatic

This is a terrific word. According to the OED 

Of, designating, or relating to speech, utterances, etc., that serve to establish or maintain social relationships rather than to impart information, communicate ideas, etc

In other words, when you say "Hi, how are you?" "Fine, you?" "Great, thanks". It doesn't really mean anything; nobody wants to hear how you really are., but that's phatic communion (I thought it would be phatic communication, but that's another story).