How's the Weather

I am still here in the US, waiting for the training to wrap up so I can go home. I have trained for 3 months and has seen the way Americans live. I have gone through 3 tornados, 1 earthquake and countless storms during that span of time.

It's almost everyday that I hear strangers I meet in corridors, in walkways, hotel lobbys that the opening conversation goes this way:

Stranger: "How's it going?"
Me : "Good, how bout you?"
Stranger: "Wonderful!"

In the beginning I only get to saying good. But when I got the hang of it (and overhear them ask back how has the other been) I also started asking them how they are. I forgot that courteousness was taught in elementary.

So I went meeting them again for the days that came and the small nods gradually made it to small talks.

The easiest way to strike up a conversation is to comment on what is happening outside: here are good starters..

It's so hot! (and you will most likely get back an "oh yeah, today's warm and will be for the rest of the week" answer)
Where were you when the tornado hit? (I hope this is not used often but this is a general question that is safe to ask if you are in a group)
Did you feel the earthquake hit? I thought i was imagining things.
I love the sunshine!
Do you like rain?

Did I think they are impersonal? Yes. Until I thought how climate plays one of the factors shaping culture. I forgot it was taught in Social Sciences back in high school.

It dictates how people value certain things in their lives, how to be detached to everything that cannot be kept forever. Just as when a tornado calms down that they cry less and spend more time salvaging things. Just as how easy to leave home to get someplace else to better their lives. Just as what the weather is - here today gone tomorrow.