They are technically different questions, but think for a moment about what the speaker is trying to achieve. This is not talking with a friend, making pleasan

They are technically different questions, but think for a moment about what the speaker is trying to achieve. This is not talking with a friend, making pleasantries. This is at work, getting paid, by a company, to learn how low an offer they can make for it to be accepted. Pretending that the conversation is anything except that, is serving the interests of companies who try to do exactly that. Telling someone that what they perceive is not what it is, that what others can perceive is not what it is, is like flickering the lights on and off, and saying nothing is wrong, and asking why someone is so upset.