Has this ever happened to you?

[Habari]

I was wondering if anyone had a similar experience.
It goes like this:
You have just returned from a long trip, say an Africa Overland and you run into an old friend (but it could as well be a relative or a co-worker or whatever).
The old friend:
- Hi, where have you been? Long time no see.
You:
- Oh, I just returned from a six (or whatever) month trip in Africa, drove all over the place (or something along that line).
At this point you would normally expect some sort of comment, even something as plain as "was if fun?" or "how did you like it?"
But no, a blank stare appears on your friends face, then he focuses his attention on the tip of his shoes in total silence for a few seconds and finally bursts in something completely unrelated like:
- Oh, by the way did you know that John has bought a new TV?[or anything just as silly].
To which you can only reply with some short smalltalk about TVs and walk away…
Isn't it odd?... Any clue?

Cheers!