Does/Has anyone ever had this problem? Not just with girls, but with other people as well...this is better known as "small talk" and even popular public speakers dread it.

So, what can you do to improve yourself and keep a conversation going? Saying "just talk about interesting things" is easier said than done...but, what works? How can you keep thinking of something to say (and even things to ask) without the conversation going bland?

Are there are books you guys recommend on this subject? Or tips? I mean, what would you do when it's an absolutely awkward silence and you can't think of anything else to say?

ok dude I'm am somewhat in the same boat as you only my problem is group convo. But with one on one convo I can help you out.
What ya do is think up things that you like, your interests, for me I like music, I am in a band and I know all about metal:)

I can from here as a person what kinda music they like, cus everyone listens to music just some people get into it more. So you ask them what kinda music they like and you have just put them in your domain. You rule this area. And then they usually say something like " oh I listen to everything, how bout you" and then I respond with oh I'm a metal head blah blah blah. Any sterotype of a crazy psychopath metalhead has already been thrown out cus I'm being friendly, and here they know nothing.

So make a list of what you know about and ask them questions that will lead into that. Have a discussion, not an interview.

Stop thinking of what to say and say what comes to mind during the convo. If you say something and when you are done, are already trying to plan something else to say, then you aren't listening. Technically you may be because you can hear them, but you arent focusing on what they are saying so you can't respond in the typical fashion. Great speakers are great listeners.

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