"Tell me a story" was first said to me by my good guy friend over IM. At first I did not think anything of it and just went on to tell him something that recently happened to me.

I doubt he realized what he did but instead of asking "how are you, whats happening, whats new etc" he allowed me to pick what was on my mind at the moment.

I started using this line on people I haven't talked to in a while, girls, guys didn't matter. "Tell me a story" and they would start talking about what they feel is important to them at that point in time. I did not have to search for a topic they were interested in because they just told picked it. "Tell me a story" - Use it.

A few things I have noticed about using this line. If I walk up to someone in person and say "Hey! Tell me a story!" they usually get flustered and have nothing to say. Its odd. But, if I text some, talk to people on facebook, IM etc. and say "Hey!" wait for a reply, and then say "Tell me a story" the story comes out. Now if someone comes up to me in person and initiates conversation and I follow up with "Tell me a story" they will always have something to tell me. It is not a good mid conversation line, in my opinion.

I see a lot of posts about "How do I continue a conversation?" and this can give you some great practice. You don't have to come up with the subject to talk about at the beginning. Listening is key. Listen to their story, remember some key parts and question them on those facts, expound on those parts, relate to their story.