How do you start conversations with a stranger and keep it going?
I've always found it difficult to talk to people other than the ones I have known for long and am close to. But I've been trying to overcome that for the past few months. I force myself to initiate conversations at the gym, at parties etc now but it's difficult to keep the conversation going. Please share tips which may help me.
LP…honey…you?re adorable…but a long and drawn out comversation can become awkward and tedious. It is a good thing if the convo ends after a few moments. You can resume the friendly exchange at the next meeting. I think it is better when things develop slowly and over time.
Problems of Introverts lol.
Thats why sometimes I consider extroverts are lucky. They have this ability that we dont.
I am an introvert and for the most part I am okay with talking to strangers when I feel up to it.
I can feel overwhelmed by extroverts sometimes, especially the ones that are very loud, that bombard you with questions and put you on the spot before an audience, and drag out a meeting with unneccessary, inane blather…when you just want them to STHU so that everyone can either move on to more important tasks or go home. Yeah…extroverts are so cute.
Sometimes poeople don’t waht to talk to the strangers such the shy people don’t want to …
Well IF they are into any kind of Computing:
Just Ask them what they think of AI Artificial Intelligence?
I did that to one person and that got them going in such a way the conversation/arguments kept going for almost a whole Month! 
Of course they were a co worker who believed in AI…and I do not! 
To me “artificial” Intelligence is an oxy Moron 
/
If you have the knowledge on the topic under discussion or you know the right questions in case you are inquring something, you can keep a good conversation going without much effort.
Secondly when two introverts sit together, the thing that comes out is awkward silence. That’s why it is better to interact with extroverts rather than introverts. You will learn alot from them about how to keep the conversation going. Also no need to force yourself into a discussion if the other person is giving one or two word replies, good conversation requires input from both sides.
Oh yes! Extroverts are lucky. I’m an extreme introvert and my sister is an extreme extrovert. I go to the same gym my sister goes to and she is friends with a lot of people and the staff there. We both enter the gym together, I do a basic Salam and go to the lockers to get ready . I finish getting ready before my sis is done with her greetings at the reception. After that the greetings at the gym floor starts 
Thanks to my sister, I know a few people at the gym but most of my interactions with them are limited to salam, how are you and which class are you taking 
I don’t know how to go beyond that.
I like it when extroverts talk. It makes it easier for me. I don’t have to worry about how to keep the conversation going.
I have the same problem sometimes @LP it can get hard sometimes to start a random conversation with a stranger
So this is where all the introverts and social misfits hang out, I’ll join the club too. I have always marveled at some people’s skills in engaging in social conversations and keeping everyone engaged. My interests are limited and With my ever changing landscape of social circle, I just sometimes feel like crawling under the table and make myself disappear in such events. If it is not something about my professional or personal interests then am already out of breath.
But the key thing here is that a social conversation is not necessarily about trying to elicit questions and answers, because it will soon turn into a dead stale job interview like session. Sometimes, a little off the cuff comments, a harmless banter can create a good opening to a casual conversation.
And you never know, just a few little unvarnished words might even evolve into the most surprisingly pleasant turn of events in one’s life.
You go and talk to them, nothing sells like confidence.
I’ve felt like that quite often
Interesting. I’ll try it.