Maybe in towns, but not in big cities, NY, Chicago, LA, or even smaller ones like SF. Most of the time, if you try to strike up a conversation with a stranger,

Maybe in towns, but not in big cities, NY, Chicago, LA, or even smaller ones like SF. Most of the time, if you try to strike up a conversation with a stranger, like trying to chat to someone you don't know on the train for example, they will be polite but not engage - and they will probably assume you're trying to sell them something etc.