[chefgoldbluum]

You haven't understood the problem.

A: Hi (expecting a response from person B before continuing) B: Hi A: proceeds with start of questions or comment

The first problem is that A may, as you say, sitting idly by waiting for B to say "hi" back. I.e. the first person may not understand how to effectively communicate in an async setting.

The second is that "hi", then waiting for a response, can signify to B that A wants an active, real-time conversation - not an async conversation. The ambiguity of "hi" may cause B to deliver complete attention, which has real costs. Unfortunately, A might just be being polite (in a misguided way) or they have jumped the gun and spoken before they have thought about what they want to say.

This is a very real communication issue that has causes a real productivity loss from high performers that have to unblock people frequently.

[junon]

> This is a very real communication issue that has causes a real productivity loss from high performers that have to unblock people frequently.

[Citation needed]

In 12 years of working professionally, a "hi" nas never been a blocker, neither for myself nor any of my teammates.