Richard — thanks for this thoughtful question and the kind words! So much value in these questions. I’d like to give you a thoughtful answer back. Here’s (exactly) what I’d do.

1. I like to read the room before prompting the elevator conversation myself — if someone seems in a rush or their body language scream leave me alone — I’d be respectful and leave it at the introduction.
2. If someone asks me what I do for a living, all I’m doing is answering their question, if they’re not really interested in knowing it’s probably not someone I’d like to work within the first place.
3. Although this never happened with me before, if I sense someone is seriously not having it or they’re just super grumpy I’d go with just step 3.
4. If even that feels unnatural for the situation go off-script and let them do the talking. Ask lots of what-questions — they tend to drive exploration. Stay away from why-questions — they tend to drive justification.
5. The worst that can happen is that they don’t get back to you. They probably didn’t have an itch for you to scratch anyway. But when they get that itch, they will remember you if you were sincerely kind and gave them an ear.
6. It is impossible to hate a sincerely kind person. Even if you try.

To summarize: Kindness ALWAYS wins. :-)

I think a lot of people will find these questions helpful. Thanks again. Anything else you’d like me to touch on?