An often heard piece of advice is that one should ask questions and get the other person talking first. In many cases, that’s great counsel. However, an alternative approach that breaks the ice between 2 strangers…

Remember you two are strangers and strangers are initially often wary of the other, and that’s okay. Talk about the weather, food, surroundings, or some other non-threatening, non-controversial neutral topic until the person relaxes and smiles…

Give your elevator speech here without the section on what you’re looking for from that person. Instead, finish your brief intro of who you are by saying something like…