I'm at a BYO dinner with some friends (and some strangers), and usually I have the courage to ask a stranger how he met my friend, and he'll tell me about how they met. Then my mind goes blank, and I'll usually end that dinner without really knowing that much about someone.

Edit1: Btw, I posted in here because I noticed a lot of sedditors are really good at conversations and giving tips on this kind of stuff. I tried to search for a subreddit but couldn't find one. If anyone knows about one or can refer me to somewhere else for this, please let me know!

I guess my problem is I don't really know how to talk to and learn about someone, which I think is the source of my inability to talk to girls (and people in general). Usually I'll ask about where they are from, and maybe learn about one or two hobbies. Although these are good ways to begin a conversation, for me I usually can't do anything with what other people tell me. My mind usually goes blank after they say what they like doing, and the conversation usually just dies (I'll usually say "oh" if I don't know anything or anyone with similar interests). Here's a conversation I had with a new friend I just met (it's pretty typical of most of my conversations):

  • Guy: "I like photography a lot"
  • Me: "What do you like about it?"
  • Guy: "Fashionable people usually. Sometimes I just sit around and people watch, and if I see someone wearing something I think looks fashionable, I'll ask for permission to take a picture of him/her."
  • Me: "Oh. Where do you usually go?" OR "What's the weirdest thing you've ever seen someone where?"

He answered the question and the conversation ended (we stopped talking about that) (you guys can form your own opinions about what kind of person he is). My mind usually blanks out after a few responses and I usually have nothing to say (and looking back on this conversation, I still can't think of anything to say after he gave his response). Any help on how I can improve my conversation so I can learn more about people in general (so I can connect to people better..and eventually talk to girls better)?