- Make eye contact, smile, and say "hello"
- Pay them a sincere compliment
- Ask them a question they're not expecting
- What's the farthest you've driven / longest you've waited for a cup of coffee?
- Small talk is for small minds and does not engage the mind so avoid chatting about the weather, the traffic, or similar simple topics.
- Ask for their opinion
- Help them continue the dialogue
- Really?
- How did that work out?
- Find your common ground
- Air Force asked West Point for help (we're both veterans)
- LSU Tiger asked Alabama Crimson Tide for help (we're SEC fans living outside the SEC)