You'd get a better conversation started by typing in "Hey, Chris" if his name ISN'T Chris.
Typing in "Hey, Whatever-his-real-name-is" is a very lame way to get any type of conversation started. You would do better with asking a question (What happened today that made you laugh? Can you tell me about the oddest outfit you saw someone wear?) or using a random quote to get a conversation going - you know, throw something out there that he can respond to!