@jack

The context is being in small space with strangers, like an elevator, a lift, a train, a bus....usually people ignore you or stare at you without seeing you, one feels transparent.

One big exception: American tourists abroad usually say hello, make some polite small talk saying for instance " nice weather isn't it?" " the view  is awesome" etc.

These few words of small talk give me the impression that I exist, that I am not transparent, that we are both belonging to the same humankind. That we are both friendly people and will not do any harm to each other.

Have you ever been stuck in an elevator? It takes at least one hour until a technician arrives to fix the problem, so I would prefer to be stuck with friendly people and not with people who ignore me.

I agree with  Grzegorz It's nice to speak with people we do not know and we just met traveling abroad. My grandmother used to evaluate a journey by train according to the fact if she had met somebody to talk to or not. People now are so busy with their smartphones that they do not notice anything anymore.What I do not like at all is to take the elevator with other people who do not even say hello entering this small space.As a tourist in a hotel,  I appreciate other tourists (mostly  Americans ) who are friendly and just say two words about the weather.

Very often it can be an interesting experience to talk with strangers. I remember my travel by train during studies when I used to speak with people. Sometimes there were very interesting conversations. At that time we didn't have a mobile phone or Facebook to share our personal data. But nowadays, it is more difficult to meet somebody in train and talk. Everbody looks at a computer or listen to music. Nobody is free and willing to talk. On the other hand, we learn our children: don't speak with a stranger, so they are suspicious and not eager to speak in adult life. What is more, we all know that there is a risk of meeting offenders or other dangerous people. Now I hardly ever see somebody talking during commuting on the bus.

(Please, correct me in case of mistake)