I think this could apply equally to non-business communication. If I had a dollar for every Facebook or Twitter message I get saying just hi or how are you, I’d be wealthy.

I almost never answer messages like that because if I did, I’d spend most of my time in meaningless chitchat.

When I do make the mistake of responding to a stranger who has only said “hi,” I almost always find they have nothing of any substance to talk about.

It’s very frustrating.