Do you know this person??

Question

Why do (local) people always name a long list of names off, once they find out what town or neighborhood you live in? That annoys this S**t out of me. Why do they care if you know who those people are?

Example Conversation:

Them: So do you live here in N**t*m?
Me: No, I live in A*p*.
Them: Ohhh.. Do you know ***** *******?
Me: No, I don't know them, sorry.
Them: Well do you know *** *******?
Me: No.
Them: Okay. What about ******* *********? He lives there.
Me: No, don't know him either.
(And the conversation goes on and on...)

Answer 1

something to do, conversation.

Answer 2

It is feel that the other person has a sense of connection with you and that you will have something in common,