what do you talk about when you've introduced yourself? (Hello, Where are you from Etc)
Socialising in general with Guys and Girls.

Hey mate!

that is easy! you talk about them! Be interested in them, so ask questions that interest you. When you think about it, what is the thing that makes a man unique? Probably his way of looking at the world (a man would be a person, male or female of the human kind, just to be sure). So ask about that! what do they like? why do they like it? what kind of feeling does it give them?

THat way, you get to know them thoroughly. If you want to you can relate to those feelings by telling your own experiences and the feelings you felt. You will get a deeper bond like that, is it man or woman.

so, cheers, and good luck!

_________________
"Stop being a fucking vagina and escalate" - CaptainJackHarkness

Like the naked leads the blind.
I know I'm selfish, I'm unkind.
Sucker love I always find,
Someone to bruise and leave behind.
placebo - every me, every you

One good strategy once you're in conversation and there is some interest is to ask something very simple like how their day is. But then when they answer, find a way to link what they say to something deeper. So if they say "Oh it was fine, I just got back from playing soccer." you can say "Oh I used to play soccer when I was a kid! It was my favorite sport. What sports did you play as a kid?"

Just an example, taking something basic and going deeper with it. Soon you're talking about your lives and building rapport.

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I try and hint at a whole load of different potential conversation hooks fairly early on... like the fact that I've lived in lots of different places, worked in lots of different sorts of jobs, have lots of different hobbies / sports I'm interested in...
I wouldn't drop them all in one go or straight away - there is no rush, but I can try one at a time and if they don't bite I'll try another.

I'm just being me, saying who I am - I'm not trying to say what I think she wants me to say. That, coupled with the fact that I'm usually quite direct early on, and I feel comfortable asking questions that make people think - like what people wanted to do when they were little (rather than what they do) etc, seems to work for me.

If you're struggling for things to say, go on a mental spontaneous adventurous holiday somewhere - everyone loves adventure stories. Go and visit some galleries etc - then you seem to know fun things to do that aren't just drinking and clubbing. Read some books.

Become the sort of person people would want to get to know, because you're different from everyone else.

NB - I'm a n00b, so feel free to ignore.