are you able to spark up a conversation with a total stranger?

Question

I have the hardest time with that

Answer 1

Your not alone I myself can't do that naturally. I guess I'm anti-social and maybe its best to keep that way because I'm way too honest.

Answer 2

Working in retail, I have to be able to make every customer feel comfortable in my store and it's definitely helpful to be able to talk to absolutely anyone about anything.

I've found the easiest conversation starters are things that are pretty obvious. If someone says hello and they have a particular accent, I ask where they are from and can quickly get into a conversation about the area they reside in.

If someone is wearing a piece of clothing I like, I compliment it, ask where they got it, and then start a conversation about the store they got it in.

People want to be praised and identified/sympathized with. The key to conversations starters are compliments and an easy smile. A willingness to listen can go a long way and friendly expression really opens most people up.

Answer 3

I'm friendly enough but I'm shy and it's mostly because I have a noticeable stammer and I never know when it will decide to crop up and make me look retarded in front of some stranger so I just try to avoid dealing with anyone who I think would judge me based on that. There are, of course, certain people who don't notice or care and with those people, I can strike up random conversations without worrying about it and I will often do so.

Answer 4

Oh yeah, I can talk to anybody... and I mean anybody. It isn't too hard when you see something they are doing that you can relate to, just make a comment to them about it and then it leads into a conversation. (IE: standing in line at the supermarket...you notice they have a product that you have used before and like...just say something like... -product name here-, yeah I had those last week. Aren't they awesome!)

Once you get past the fear of doing it, it is really simple. The fear makes it feel awkward and unnatural, but once you lose the fear, it is like talking to your best friend.

Answer 5

I'm no good at a conversation, I can talk to a stranger for 15 sec. in the cereal isle at the grocery store.

Answer 6

Nope, sure can't. I hear you.

I've been shy and self-conscious all my life, and a lot of it has been from people my own age rejecting me over and over again, you know, giving me the "too fat, too ugly, too smart" crapfest. It's been going on since third grade and I'm in my 40s these days.

So yeah, it sucks. I'd like to be able to shoot the breeze and maybe snag more friends (and a girlfriend) this way, but I just freeze up. It's like I won't let myself *risk* being under attack again from people who just hate on me for no real reason.

Hope this helps....you are not alone here. -_- It rather sucks, I know.

Answer 7

No one is a stranger. A few give me the willies but 99% of humans will conversate about nearly any subject (with me) unless I'm easy to talk with.

Answer 8

Dude, walk away. i became on your same subject. merely reason the girl enjoys putting or going out to dinner w/you as a pal, would not make you a romantic companion. i assumed the girl in my case became the suited female, yet she could have not have been given something to do with me besides the fact that if i assumed we've been appropriate for the different. i be responsive to it hurts like hell guy, and that i'm purely some dude on the cyber web providing you with suggestion. you could tell her, and threat ruining a friendship, or you could walk away. Your decision.

Answer 9

Yes

Answer 10

Only around my age. But like only at a party or something where being social is common. It would be really hard to do it like say in a bus or waiting in line.

Leave that to the amazing extroverted new Yorkers.
(that's a compliment)

Answer 11

I used to have such a problem doing that but I worked as a cashier for awhile and it helped me so much with building that skill up. Like I wouldn't just pour my heart and life story out right there but I didn't just stay quiet and awkward.