Those other questions are too intimate for a conversation starter.

No, I don't miss the point. It would very weird in all the cultures I'm part of to ask those questions first, not because anyone cares about money, but because those are too specific and would weird the other person out.

Northern European here:

I'd also find it a bit weird (edit: or awkward) if someone started by asking what I love to do:

Is this a salesman or a recruiter?

Maybe a teacher?

And what should I answer that wouldn't be weird? "Volunteering for Troll patrol at Internet forums"?, "Writing Java"?, "Sleeping"?

“Where do you live” seems like an even less interesting question.