This is really well put. I've also noticed that, while not really relevant here, small talk is a good way to gauge people's interest in having a conversation a

This is really well put. I've also noticed that, while not really relevant here, small talk is a good way to gauge people's interest in having a conversation at all. If you dive right into big topics like hopes and dreams right off the bat, the other person might not be engaged, but if you ease your way in with small talk and receive a lot of energy back, that can be a positive signal to get to the deeper stuff.