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You should also try to figure out which people are thing people and which ones are people people. Thing people enjoy hearing about new technology and other clever tools and possessions. They also enjoy discussions of processes and systems, including politics. People people enjoy only conversations that involve humans doing interesting things. They get bored in a second when the conversation turns to things. Once you know whether you are dealing with a thing person or a people person, you can craft your conversation to his or her sweet spot. It makes a big difference in how people react to you, and that in turn will make you more confident and less shy.

Change the conversation It's easy for conversations to become stuck on upsetting or depressing topics, particularly when they're looming large in the news. Don't be afraid to be the one to move things on, saying: 'Isn't that enough depressing discussion about...? What about discussing...?' or 'I think we have analysed this topic to death. What other interesting things have been happening?'

For Roosevelt knew, as all leaders know, that the royal road to a person's heart is to talk about the things he or she treasures most.

I'll paraphrase the Dale Carnegie question stack as best I remember it. It goes something like this: What's your name? Where do you live? Do you have a family? What do you do for a living? Do you have any hobbies/sports? Do you have any travel plans?