Feeling shy and stuck for something to say? If you can never think of anything to say at parties then compliment the person you’re talking to. Don’t be a creep, but everyone likes a compliment.
Try to think of conversation topics before-hand. and ask lots of simple questions about the person, especially if it could lead to a long and interesting conversation
And with an interesting news story if the person you're talking to has heard of it then you can discuss it, or if they havent' you can explain it. Try these websites for great stories...
www.fark.com
www.drudgereport.com
Another good one is ask people for shopping advice, something like - I heard the still make phonographs, is does anyone know where you can actually find one? So many people have never seen one, this is bound to start a conversation.
You can always compliment a person on their shoes with out being creepy. I even ask people where the best place to by a food item, like wine or sugar free cheesecake. Everyone loves to talk about food.
If you want to talk to a particular person find out what they like. dont go and spy on them just observe what they say to other people.
For example I found out that one of my class mate who I was trying to get to know, didnt like the book Birdsong which were doing in English.
So when he sat next to me the week after, I asked him if he had finished it and he went on about how he disliked it lol. Then I started saying "Yes I know what you mean but dont you think the main Protagonist is a fasinating character?" and he agreed! and started to talk about the charcter : )
Try and find out what the person is into or not into and start to talk about it from a different perspective to them! It worked for me!