{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/04\/Talk-to-Strangers-Step-7-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Talk-to-Strangers-Step-7-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/04\/Talk-to-Strangers-Step-7-Version-3.jpg\/aid505241-v4-728px-Talk-to-Strangers-Step-7-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>

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<\/p><\/div>"} 1 Look approachable and friendly. If you look anxious or grim when you open up a conversation, you’re going to put the other person on edge immediately. Even if you feel like a mess inside, try to look relaxed and friendly to put other people at ease. This will result in better, longer conversations. Make eye contact. Instead of fiddling nervously with your phone, look around the room and observe the people. Make eye contact with people to see who else is looking for conversation.

Smile whenever you make eye contact with people, even if you don't plan to talk them. It both gives you practice in non-verbal communication and raises the odds of someone being receptive to a conversation.

Open up your body language. Throw your shoulders back, stick your chest out, and raise your chin. The more confident you look, the more people will want to talk to you.

Don't cross your arms over your chest. People might interpret crossed arms to mean that you're closed off or uninterested in conversation. If you look anxious or grim when you open up a conversation, you’re going to put the other person on edge immediately. Even if you feel like a mess inside, try to look relaxed and friendly to put other people at ease. This will result in better, longer conversations.

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<\/p><\/div>"} 2 Open nonverbally before you start talking to someone. Others might find it strange if you start talking to them without giving any hints that you were going to approach them. Instead of walking up and starting a surprise conversation with the side of someone's head, ease into it nonverbally. Make eye contact and give a smile to establish a connection before trying to start a conversation.

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<\/p><\/div>"} 3 Open with a small interaction. You might want to get to know someone, but opening with deep conversation topics out of the blue might turn people off. If you're doing a cold-approach (not reacting to something you've both observed), start small. Instead of opening with a question about life goals, just make an observation or ask for a favor: Man, the bar's slammed tonight. We'd better leave good tips!

Traffic's a nightmare today! Do you know if there's an event in the neighborhood?

Could you plug in my laptop cord for me? The outlet's behind you.

Do you know what time it is? You might want to get to know someone, but opening with deep conversation topics out of the blue might turn people off. If you're doing a cold-approach (not reacting to something you've both observed), start small. Instead of opening with a question about life goals, just make an observation or ask for a favor:

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<\/p><\/div>"} 4 Introduce yourself. Once you've opened with your small interaction, you want to find out the other person's name. The best way to do that is simply to offer your own name. Etiquette will basically force the other person to introduce themselves in kind. If he or she ignores your introduction, he or she is either in a very bad mood or is rude — either way, it's best you don't try to pursue this conversation. After you've finished your opening interaction, just say "I'm [your name], by the way." Offer a firm handshake as you're introducing yourself. Once you've opened with your small interaction, you want to find out the other person's name. The best way to do that is simply to offer your own name. Etiquette will basically force the other person to introduce themselves in kind. If he or she ignores your introduction, he or she is either in a very bad mood or is rude — either way, it's best you don't try to pursue this conversation.

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<\/p><\/div>"} 5 Ask open-ended questions.[3] If you ask questions that have yes or no answers, the conversation could stall quickly. Instead, ask questions that encourage the conversation to open up rather than close down. For example: "What have you been up to today?" instead of "Are you having a good day?"

"I've seen you here a lot. What keeps you coming back? What's so great about this place?" instead of "Do you come here often?" If you ask questions that have yes or no answers, the conversation could stall quickly. Instead, ask questions that encourage the conversation to open up rather than close down. For example:

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<\/p><\/div>"} 6 Ask the person to explain something to you. Everyone likes to feel like they're an expert on something. Even if you know a lot about the subject you end up talking about, ask the person to explain things to you. For example, if a news event comes up, say "Oh, I saw some headlines, but didn't have time to read the article at work today. Can you tell me what that was about?" People enjoy conversations more when they feel like they have something to teach.

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<\/p><\/div>"} 7 Don’t be afraid to disagree. Finding common ground in a conversation is very important. As strange as it might seem strange, though, a good disagreement can be a great way to form a new relationship. Show the person you're trying to talk to that hanging out with you won't be boring. Engage him or her in a debate that lets each of you show off your intelligence. Keep the debates light-hearted. If you see the other person getting worked up, back off immediately.

You want a good-natured back and forth, not an argument.

Make sure to smile and laugh often while debating to let everyone know you're having a good time, not getting upset. Finding common ground in a conversation is very important. As strange as it might seem strange, though, a good disagreement can be a great way to form a new relationship. Show the person you're trying to talk to that hanging out with you won't be boring. Engage him or her in a debate that lets each of you show off your intelligence.

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<\/p><\/div>"} 8 Stick to safe topics. While you want to have a debate, you don't want to stray into areas that will lead to an actual argument. A debate about religion or politics might result in hurt feelings, but one about the best travel spots or football team will stay light-hearted and fun. Other safe topics might include movies, music, books, or food.