Technique 11: How You Say It, Not What You Say

Worried about your first words? Fear not, because 80% of your listener's impression has nothing to do with your words anyway. Almost anything you say at first is fine. No matter how prosaic the text, an empathetic mood, a positive demeanor, and passionate delivery make you sound exciting.

If your first comment is a complaint, you're a griper.
If your first words are rude, you're a creep.
If your first words are unpleasant, you're a stinker.
Other than thiese downers, anything goes.
Ask them where they're from, how they know the host of the party, where they bought the lovely suit.....etc.
The trick is to ask your prosaic question with passion to get the other person talking.