Is there a place for "small talk" in employment interviewing?

[questioner]

I am shocked how interpersonal the interview process is today. I am greeted by a manager in the lobby and then walk down to the conference room. No conversation. From there they start immediately with a long list of questions. There is never anything that lets the manager know me as a person and as a result they seem almost unhuman.

I have complained about this to my friends and they disagree. They say there is no place for small talk in a job interview. Instead it should be all business. What do you think?