Just stick in a introduction, and drop the word "passionate" and suddenly it doesn't seem so awkward. "It's a pretty nice day. Hasn't been too humid lately."

Just stick in a introduction, and drop the word "passionate" and suddenly it doesn't seem so awkward. "It's a pretty nice day. Hasn't been too humid lately." "Yeah, sure is. Hey, I'm Kevin" <extend hand, shake> "I'm <name>" "So what are you into, <name>?"