Conversation Topic: Make a bet
“Walk up to someone and tell them you need them to settle a bet between you and your friend. For instance, say ‘Can I get your help with something? You see, my friends and I have this bet going on and we need an outside perspective. My friend says that the moon is its own planet. I say that the moon isn’t its own planet.’ Now, obviously, the moon isn’t a planet. Everyone should know that including this stranger you just asked. But it gives you a great in to start a conversation.” —Chris Seiter, author of Ex-Boyfriend Recovery
Conversation Topic: Offer to help them
“Being helpful is always a great way to get a person’s attention, especially when they are struggling to do something or seem overwhelmed. The one thing people always enjoy is relief but you don’t want to add to their stress or come across as creepy. So try something simple like offering to hold something for them.” —Alexis Nicole White, author and relationship expert.
Conversation Topic: Disarm them with your vulnerability
“Sometimes the quickest way to make another person comfortable is to be vulnerable yourself. At a cocktail party? Tell the person next to you, ‘I don’t know a soul here. It’s so hard to talk to strangers.’ On a flight? Tell your seatmate, ‘Flying makes me a little nervous.’ People are more likely to connect with you if you are real, authentic, flawed like the rest of us.” – Jacqueline Lewis, founder of the World Gratitude Map, a crowd-sourcing project and online map that encourages users to document and celebrate the good things in life, and author of Life Begins at the End of Your Comfort Zone