a good way to start: 'Hello'

Lol yeah... I guess that would be a good start... Maybe theyll have a book on pleasentries to read...

when I have no idea on how to start a convo I just start by roleplaying something like *pokes* or *tickles* or *hugs* ^.^

Hmmmm.... HMMMMM... Erm... Um... I just usually strike up a conversation and act goofy enough they dont think im completely boring and stop talking XD 'O course then they realise im slightly crazy so thats what eventually ends it.

Lol i get shy xD im usually goofy when people know me though...

Well being shy just makes people generally go d'awww they is so cute want to be friend X3 But ya gotta still try to make common conversation. Try to go off something they like but not something too obvious.

"POLAR BEAR!"
"... 0.o"
"just something that can break the ice =3 i'm james, who are you?"

Lol xD thats a neat idea

*shouts out random things, then laughs* hehe, good idea, weasel. very fun.

*ferret, sorry lol

I normally ask how a person is, or how their day went. If they say something they did I work off of that normally.

Hmmmmmmm........ Ok :3 thanks

haha another grand idea :)

yeah, in person, i look at how i got into a situation with this person and make questions around what's going on...like if I meet a new person during orchestra practice, I would be like, "Hi. I'm Christian. What's your name?...How long have you been playing that instrument?...Do you enjoy the music you play?...do you have any other hobbies?...What school do you go to?/Where do you work?...etc..." ...or...if I meet someone new at work, just about the same questions: What's your name? How are you? Do you need any help? etc...and just keep elaborating more off of the last question asked fluently, and relate some of the back at yourself after they've answered.

It's like jumping stones, do it one at a time, and you can learn more about different areas of their lives the more stones you jump (more questions you ask). But God gave you TWO ears and ONE tongue, so make sure you do more listening than talking. It's okay to talk, but it's polite not to be a chatter-box...unless the person enjoys listening to you more...and of course keep the questions general and short. You wouldn't want to ask personal things to a stranger you just met, ....you do that with friends and stuff :3

Be polite, considerate, nice, understanding of their current emotions/focus. Just practice at it. It took me a year or two to get out and friendly with strangers after I turned about 13.

Like Nightcoon said, if they say anything about their day just work from that, find common interest and work with that or pay attention to what the other person is wearing but dont like eye them in the wrong way like brands they are wearing like car brands, bike brands, even store brands I guess and work with what you see if you want to. Are even if you want start by a compliment like I really your shirt, where did you get it from. :P sorry if my advice sucks or if it is corny.

Exactly that. I was typing on a phone earlier and didnt wanna type all that lol. But this.

Haha, well at least I saved you the trouble. :P

Reminds me of one nights leaving my friends house to go back home from school. His neighbor was listening on my vehicle when it drove up and knew it needed some power steering fluid. When I came out of the house to get in my vehicle he asks and told me his concern. Got into a little conversation and found out his name, he saved a cute little black lab puppy from the streets, and loves Hondas. I was quite dumbfounded he wanted to help by putting some power steering fluid into my vehicle. I really had no idea what to say but found little connections and stuff.

Just thought I would share something I thought was applicable.

I'm the same way, so you're not alone.

Dude, you're fine. Trust me. =3

step 1: open mouth

step 2: speak words

step 3: ?????

step 4: profit!