One pet hate (possibly peculiar to some folks) is when, in social situations, someone asks, 'So, what do you do?', like, immediately after exchanging names. 'Do', as in: job.
I always feel like the reveal of time spent in wage-slavery or in a chosen profession is pending judgment from the asker; over everything we are as a person.
Maybe I overthink it, but I'll wager we've all seen hollow judgement, reductionism, (and stigma), for ourselves.
I think they ask questions like that, or about sports or weather, because they don't know enough about you to ask anything else. Tell them :)
@Clavius_42
Yes that is probably a better opening. Most people are not that skillful at getting started talking with strangers. A compliment works wonders too :)