Yeah I agree. The single simplest ice breaker is "hot/cold/rainy (esp in Ireland!) isn't it?" along with "bus due?" or "waiting long?" They're all just little off-the-cuff, noncommittal phrases we use, either to start a conversation or just to not look cold and aloof. Two people standing at a bus stop, certainly in this country, you'll usually get something like "****ing CIE!" (our bus company) or "Bloody buses" or "Three have gone that way, not one this" or maybe, you know, "Waiting long?" Occasionally a bus number will be floated --- "43 been yet?" I have no problem with any of that.
Similarly, walking past someone and they say/I say "not bad weather" or "bloody rain" or "colder today" does not bother me in the least. I don't get why it does upset anyone. It's better than saying something personal if they don't know you. The weather is about as catchall and impersonal as you can get, and can often lead to longer, more detailed and maybe meaningful conversations.
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Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018
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