How can you tell if someone's just being friendly/polite or interested?

So I had a random man start chatting with me while I was waiting at the bus stop after I finished work. I politely let him chat and spent a few minutes listening to him (because I'm quiet and find it hard to say "I'm not that interested", I'm not sure if he was actually interested in trying to become friends or whether he chats to everyone. I have never seen him before today and don't know his name but he told me where he lives (I've forgot the address he said he lives at by now) and he was telling me where he used to live and about his health conditions and some other stuff as well (again, information dump so I forgot loads of what he said by now)

How can I tell if he's just a talkative person or whether he's actually interested in becoming friends?

For the record: I am not interested in getting in to a relationship with anyone

I think it's more likely that he's just the talkative type. I imagine he'd have given you expectant vibes or actually asked you to do something if he's likely to want more. Do you not want to talk to him at all, or just don't want him to expect a friendship or more?

He may just be talkative, but if you're not interested you don't have to talk, of course.

I think a great deal of interpreting the difference comes from the body language used.

Sounds like an "oversharer" to me. People who don't understand what's appropriate to share with a perfect stranger, like your address... I have met people like that. That's when I turn to my phone or a book or do something and say politely, "I'm sorry, I'm reading." And if that doesn't give them the hint, I just move away. I'm no one's dumping ground for word refuse.

I just feel it's weird, striking up a conversation with a random stranger and info dumping on that person, including personal information like your medical conditions, your home address, etc

It is awkward, and can be upsetting, or even threatening, which is a large part of why it's not good to do it, not to mention the trouble people can get themselves in doing it.

I had wondered if you were asking for advice and, if so, on which thing.

I wasn't sure whether he was a talkative oversharer or whether he was trying to make friends

I really doubt he wants to make friends with a stranger. Some people overstate due to either poor social skills or mental Illness or cognitive limitations

Living now in a small town I find people are very friendly & strike up conversations with total strangers very easily.

Lol....mostly at the gas station waiting for the gas pymping into my truck.....guess my truck is a guy magnet because it usually starts off with "cool truck".....I have some oeople who just like to converse while waiting & it's no problem. I have had several guys want to exchange phone #'s & I just say not interested & my privacy is impirtant to me besides I am very busy & don't have much time for anything social besides what I am already involved in. I like talking to people....they are interesting to listen to & it is obvious because if they want more than to talk....they will ask.

Walmart, the grocery store, & gas stations are the social places in this small town for conversations. Sometjmes ut takes me forever to finish my shoping. When in a hurry, I don't engage otherwise, it is interesting.

I was tempted, in fact I had it typed, to say that I have a high tolerance for that sort of thing from living in the southern US and spending several years as a waitress. Around here, there's all kinds of "friendly", good bad and in-between kinds. And, of course, you get all kinds as a waitress.

Sometimes it's nice, it depends on what they're saying and what kind of mood you're in. I've heard very meaningful stories from people and will get little positive boosts sometimes while I'm out because strangers strike up innocent, warm conversations with me. I don't usually do it myself, but I like it when others do.

Sometimes it's creepy and/or people get attached to you. Men can get a little pushy under the guise of friendliness or people tell you way too personal and sometimes upsetting stuff. Health conditions are dangerous territory, that's rarely gonna be okay, and I can't imagine why someone would give a stranger their address.

I listen, I just don't bother remembering personal stuff, but sometimes they just need to have someone listen.....it never hurts to listen & respond but when the conversation is over, IT'S OVER for me.....only remember what was said if it was really interesting.

I meet randoms like that every now and then. Sounds like someone who doesn't read social boundaries, and overshares personal information.
Maybe cos they are lonely, sometimes because of the medication they are on. Maybe because they are surrounded by people who never listen.
Could be anything, but usually if your trying to build a relationship with someone you enquire after them and their situation and interests. Not just rattle off all your own stuff.