After over a year and a half in Europe, traveling through quite a few countries, East and West alike, I can say that I have not had one single instance when - u

After over a year and a half in Europe, traveling through quite a few countries, East and West alike, I can say that I have not had one single instance when - unlike the US, from where I was coming - anyone would ask me this type of question, especially at the beginning of a conversation, and unless necessary for some prior discussion justifiable reasons. In fact, in the first few months, lacking this American way of introduction, I was inadvertently delivering a professional "elevator speech", myself, just to embarrassingly realize how out of place such topic was, if not purposely asked for.