One of the best questions here in some time. Sorry if I become redundant; for once, I didn't actually read all the previous posts. It's Friday, I'm home from work, and getting stoned; so go figure.

Meeting people is the easiest, and also the hardest thing going, except for figuring out life, the universe, and everything.

If you just remember that most people are just like you, and would respond as you would, given the chance. If you're with a longtime friend, and start a conversation with something like "One brutal storm we had last night, your basement get flooded too?" It'd be perfectly natural. Why not say the same to a "stranger"? If you treat a stranger like a friend, they'll generally reciprocate. I found the best place to practice breaking ice is in a line at a store checkout counter, especially if something's holding things up. The person behind you has nothing better to do than talk to you (unless they're already talking to the person behind them). In that case, you just join the conversation.

Odd, but just yesterday I had lunch with a woman I didn't previously know, just because I'd had a few of those brief conversations in the line (at the pizza shop) a few times, and both she and I happened to be there alone that day. "Mind if I sit with you?" are often the most welcome words a person on their own would want to hear. And if they're not interested, no harm done.

So, in connecting with people, I guess the ground rules are; don't be afraid to speak to them, expect to get rejected from time to time and don't worry about it, and learn to read people as best you can (to avoid parasites, predators, etc.).

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