How to start a conversation with people you don't know!?

[stephanie00]

Anyone who has tips for how to start a decent conversation with people you've never met in your life?

[Procelis]

Starting with "Hi" is usually a pretty good idea, though a tad overrated and un-original.

[Yeahduff]

Step 1, get really drunk.

Step 2 is where I black out but I typically awake with a busted lip or something so I assume I must've conversed with someone just prior to that happening.

[Mo]

Not.

[McDuffies]

Observe, find a topic, some common ground. If you're both waiting in line, the topic could be what you're waiting for. If he/she has a book or listens to music, that could be the topic. If you're trying to meet a person of opposite sex, avoid rehearsed pickup lines; try to be spontaneous instead. Try to be genuinely interested in something they do, or otherwise try to be incredibly funny and observational about something that's happening at the moment. Try to be very confident: even if you're not, convince yourself that you are. Being drunk helps, and so does being in a situation that implies belonging to the same social group (like being on the same party or living in the same dorm).

[Laemkral]

Make sure to mention that you represent Acme Carpet Sales and you would like just a moment of their time to discuss how they too deserve to have wall to wall carpeting in their house without the costs of those "other" places.

[KWill]

Depends on the context. If you're all new to something, just start a "So where are you from?" or "What made you come here?" conversation. At parties, I usually get mutual friends to introduce me.

[Aerones]

Step 1 - Compliment an article of clothing or accessory they're wearing.
Step 2 - Sex.

[Yeahduff]

Uh, conversation's pretty pointless after the sex.

[Aerones]

Wait. Conversations can be longer than just "I like that bracelet. Wanna go back to my place?"
Why?

[Yeahduff]

Not all of us have your charm. Sometimes you have to kill time until last call and hope there isn't anyone more attractive or available than you left.

[Aerones]

... and hope there isn't anyone more attractive or available than you left.

There seldom is, but it sounds to me like someone's been too stingy with the compliments.

[Yeahduff]

As it turns out, particular body parts are out of bounds as far as compliments go.

In a related story, manhattans work much better when applied internally.

[McDuffies]

Hi, have you met me?

[Aerones]

As it turns out, particular body parts are out of bounds as far as compliments go.

That is totally not true so long as you do it in the correct manner.

[KWill]

Not all of us have your charm. Sometimes you have to kill time until last call and hope there isn't anyone more attractive or available than you left.

That's how you do it? And there I am cooking for my one nighters =I

[Yeahduff]

You're one classy womanizer, Kwill.

As it turns out, particular body parts are out of bounds as far as compliments go.

That is totally not true so long as you do it in the correct manner.

That's a pretty huge "if." So huge it turned into a "so long as."

[McDuffies]

And "so long as" threatens to turn into "on the off chance that".

[Spaceprincess]

if you its a girl compliment her shoes, unless she's wearing Uggs or flip flops then keep walking cause those kinds of girls are no good.

if its a guy mention some current sports, if he isn't interested in sports, talk about Stacy London and Clinton Kelly. if that gets him going you're barking up the wrong tree or the right tree if you're into that.

[McDuffies]

If it's American, talk about Superman. You americans all like superheroes, right?