Help with socializing?

[Caelix3]

I have trouble making and keeping a conversation. But mostly with keeping a conversation going. Does anyone have any tips on how to keep a conversation going?

 

[Aidan49]

Listen and ask questions.

 

[ConcernedDad]

Listening and asking questions is good. Also keep up with current events, sports, the weather. If the conversation slows down, mention something you read about or saw on TV.

 

[On the Inside]

Asking questions and listening is good, but not always easy. I struggle with what to say, so I've always tried to keep "manned up" by paying attention to sports, even if I have little or no interest in them. Not that I get involved in too many conversations about sports, it's just good to be prepared with some universal topics. I can talk more easily about music, biking, nature, but I am very interested in those topics. I steer away from politics and religion, other conflict ripe topics in general, unless I know the person well, and that they will stay in the theoretical realm.

My problem is that so many people want to talk about TV shows and movies, and I simply have no interest.

My first lesson in asking questions and listening happened when I was on a long drive with an acquaintance in my teens. He was a quiet guy, too, so I took the lead and started asking questions. It was his car, so I started by asking about that, and the conversation, such as it was, went on from there.