If your struggling with knowing how to make small talk with people and feel you need some practice, here is a little tip someone told me about a few years ago. I do it all the time these days as it is a great way of getting used to talking to strangers!
Your best friends here are - supermarket / shop workers - the people who are working the tills are the best.
Ok, buy as much as you dare, start small, just buy some pop and maybe some crisps or something (soda and candy for you Americans
) anything, it does not really matter.
Get to the till, look the shop work straight in the eye & smile nicely (this is very important) and just say
"Hi, you ok?" or "Hi, how you doing" - thats it.
They will probably just smile back say "yeah, I'm fine" and carry on serving you - these people are PAID to be nice to you, I've never had one turn round and tell me to "fresia off" yet. And usually they are glad of a bit of a distraction.
By the time they have answered you will probably be at the paying stage anyway, feel free to keep gabbing on or just leave it there if you wish. Depends on how much bottle you've got.
Personally, I like to follow up with "so, they got you working here all day?" - takes up a few more seconds.
Awkward silences are a none issue as your only going to be there 30 seconds max anyway! They are working so won't care one jot if your talking or not, they get it all day.
You do not know these people, and if you so wish you never have to see them again, really who cares if you make a fool of yourself.
You can finish up with "So, you doing anything exciting when you finish?" - this is a winner as it gives you a bit of an insight as to what they are like married/kids/lonely/hobbies/what they're having for dinner etc. Remember this reply, you might go in the next night and be served by them again. "Hi again! you make that spicy bean burger for your dinner last night ?"
Rotate round the workers, NEVER EVER EVER use their real name, even though its on their badge, thats getting a bit personal and can come across as a bit creepy. Don't bother if they are chatting to a co worker either you'll just get on their nerves, let them do their job, still do the "Hi" and eye contact anyway though.
If they are talking to a co-worker you can start on the person behind you in the queue. In the uk we have those conveyor belts where everyone puts their shopping so you can see what they are buying.
This is a bit trickier, don't start with Hi and don't look them in the eyes! just sort of comment in their general direction - maybe look them in the eyes if they are sexy as hell though!
I like to comment on their alcohol purchases, loads of times I've ended up chatting to the person behind me simply by turning round to them and saying point blank "whoa, your gonna be sick as a pig if you drink all that!" pointing at that bottle of cheap vodka.
Another gem is to pretend you cant find something in store, the attendants will 9 times out of 10 walk you to the correct isle. That gives you another 30 secs or so of walk and talk with someone, just use the "you working all night?" line as your wandering across the store.
Remember, your only going to be talking to them for a minute at most!
I find the folks in their mid 50's to be the best when your starting off, especially the women, they always love a good gossip!
Just smile and relax, as your leaving, "enjoy the rest of your day!"