How do you start a conversation?

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In general, I don't. I did start one not too long ago, though, and it turned out to be probably the most successful conversation I've started to date. I said, "You're even quieter than I am. I appreciate that in a person." In retrospect, it was probably an odd thing to say, but it worked out for me.

OoOoOAnaOoOo---what a name, anyway great idea...I keep hearing here ask questions, but dont be too nosey and it will happen. I have a friend who asks ppl what are their hobbies...she said it gets to the heart of their interests. I tried it before, and I got, "I dont have time for hobbies...I work too much"

Dilbert: context is a good idea. It is hard for me to hear out people's troubles...I often come across as uncaring, but I am not that way, people sufferering disturbs me, and I want to make things better for them, but I end up sounding dismissive instead.

Kaybee, my friend does that, she asks questions that are odd, and has this tallent for skipping the small talk with strangers. I have no idea how she does that though.

Callista, weather is a boring topic in North Carolina, and does not seem to get me anywhere, but when I lived in Minnesota, the weather was as important as evening news and I could get ppl to talk about the weather for at least 15 minutes because the weather was so crazy and unpredictable. However the Minnesotans are a very tight lipped bunch and talking to anyone for more than 5 minutes was nothing short of a mirricle, so I ended up being a ametur climatologist just to talk with folks

The curmudge: the helpful harry idea is a good idea...I think when there are less people at the begining of an event...people feel less crowded and more open to talk...or maybe they are just thankful that someone is helping out

Mr Xxx,

I find similar problems when I ask ppl questions, maybe we just have a vibe like you said..or maybe it is the gauging eye contact thing....if only we could comunicate with our tails like dogs do...how much easier things would be for us. Well I am going to try the whole get them talking about themselves thing...maybe things will work out better than they have. If I stumble on any hidden truths, I will let you know

But what if you love the hat but you think the person looks silly wearing it?

I just don't like to lie, is all. And I tend to listen to what my momma used to tell me about how you shouldn't say anything if you got nothing nice to say.

I wouldn't dream of trying to start a conversation, because I know I can't maintain a conversation once it has been started. Mums the word.