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Those other questions are too intimate for a conversation starter.

"Too intimate" as defined by our culture.

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"?

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

Honestly the weirder the better. Its a great icebreaker.

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.

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