Sometimes shallow interactions are fine. Like bread in your diet, there's nothing wrong with it so long as it isn't the only interaction.
It's an opportunity for engagement. Sometimes nobody wants to take the opportunity but it's valuable to have.
If you want it to be more engaging, make it so. Ask questions in return, share good responses. "How are you?" can be answered in one word or several paragraphs.
Yeah, but it sucks when someone reaches out, you go for the paragraphs, and then you get a sentence or two back. You can try and make it engaging, but that doesn't mean both parties are looking to be engaged.
Agreed, it takes two to converse. I usually will give people a few shots at engagement before I write them off, but eventually you just need to be a realist about it.
Please don't let those experiences discourage you from continuing to reach out though.
I concur with this. In my experience, more often than not, something unexpected comes up in the reply. This leads to significantly greater interaction and, sometimes, a follow up phone call to further the connection.
It's an opportunity for engagement. Sometimes nobody wants to take the opportunity but it's valuable to have.
If you want it to be more engaging, make it so. Ask questions in return, share good responses. "How are you?" can be answered in one word or several paragraphs.