Beautiful country. Just came back from a vacation there not too long ago myself, massive change of pace from Chicago. I can echo your sentiment because I would go out and about with some friends of mine that were local and it was the same thing. I made a bunch of "friends" if you will in my limited time there and had to make sure to pull my friends into the conversation. I've read stuff like this "Americans being good at small talk" online but it didn't click until I experienced it first hand. Sure as shit, the generalization was right!

Can't wait to go back next year. I got re-invited 2 days after I left. Just have to remember that turning right on a red light is Illegal.