The over the top friendliness that is desired, in my culture is off putting to me. It comes across as extremely disingenuous to me. I don't mind (I even like) "casual friendliness" but in a different, more muted, way that is socially considered good manners in my culture. I lived overseas and i was much more comfortable there because the interactions among strangers were much more comfortable for me and didn't seem forced, fake, or over the top. And i did make a lot of friends out of strangers there.
And i am CERTAINLY not opposed to engaging with strangers or challenging myself, in fact that is how i meet my partner, i approached a random stranger.
Connecting with other humans IS a good thing, but asking random strangers "what makes them tick" isn't culturally appropriate in some places and may lead to ostracism and embarrassment, not connection. Depending on your culture.
And i am CERTAINLY not opposed to engaging with strangers or challenging myself, in fact that is how i meet my partner, i approached a random stranger.
Connecting with other humans IS a good thing, but asking random strangers "what makes them tick" isn't culturally appropriate in some places and may lead to ostracism and embarrassment, not connection. Depending on your culture.