I've always found the best way to strike up a conversation with a stranger is to ask someone what music they like. Sometimes I play a little game in which I try to guess what sort of music they'll like. Usually I'm right. A few weeks ago I got it completely wrong and I'm cheered up at the memory now.
I usually get it right within a guess or two but that day I struggled. Classical? Opera? Swing Music? Mario Lanza? Judy Garland? The more I tried, the more he laughed. I was obviously way off. In the end I just gave up and said just tell me the title of your favourite album.
You'll have never even heard of it he says triumphantly. He think he's won the game. I get him fixed up to my MP3 player and I will never forget the look on his face when I showed him where the play button was. "Ice on Ice" by Jerry Butler. His favourite was track 2. It's mine too.
