

It’s normal here (Florida US) “wow that’s a big watermelon”. “Looks like you are having a party!” “Hey, I haven’t tried that, it’s good?”. Or just weather or OMG your baby is so cute, or whatever. General small talk.
I remember once a lady saw me buying a diet coke and asked “does that work?”
I think the US is sort of a middle ground on random conversations. Not super friendly but not aloof.



No. Cooking any food makes me more hungry. Even in the decades I was vegetarian it didn’t bother me, honestly.