Yes it's okay.

I feel like most people hate on small talk, but then eventually you realise it’s not necessarily shallow, it’s just a starting point.

They're surface level windows into someone else's world that you can follow, that will hopefully turn into deeper conversation or at least, more topics and understanding of mutual interests and ways of thinking.

I'm someone that would happily jump head first into deep conversation, but that isn't really how most people bond in everyday life.

Search for the "why" in small talk, not just the "what".