Starting conversations at events where one does not know anyone may be uncomfortable. Begin with the lonely person, the person who is unlikely to reject. This will help in becoming comfortable when approaching others.
Neutral conversation involves shared, safe topics. These are topics everyone can talk about. Do not assume that any topic is neutral. For instance, not everyone watches Raiders games. Topics that are not neutral may make a person feel low. Shared topics include the weather. Triangulate to see what is between two persons. For instance, person A and person B may be standing between a clock. These topics are only a starting place. Do not stay with them.
Do not open by talking about the other person such as the personal history. There is no right to jump into another person's life. For instance, some people think it is rude to ask about work. When asked, a person should not feel he/she must answer personal questions. Steer the conversation to objects. Get to know the other person and observe the person before taking him/her into one's own life. There is always the right to stop talking and move on to different subjects. This is personal graciousness. It shows class and kindness. One should not care too much at the beginning if he/she does not know everything about another person right away. Let people freely talk about themselves versus giving the third degree and pulling information out of them. To avoid making the other person do all the work, add one's own details. Not all topics are interesting so be patient. Turn conversations into learning experiences.
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