When you need something from a person on your team—especially someone you don’t speak with super often—the temptation is to start with the small talk before you get into why you’re really reaching out.
But you really ought to consider skipping the pleasantries and getting to the point. Or at least, saving them for after the purpose of your whole interaction.
When you try and fluff up your interaction as innocuous, it’s pretty obvious immediately that you’re after something bigger. The other person is just waiting for the other shoe to drop. At best, you just waste some of their time. At worst, you actually damage the relationship by seeming like a manipulative person, who only says something nice to get something in return.
There’s nothing wrong with small talk & pleasantries—just don’t use them as bait.