People love to talk about themselves (except the shy and private ones). Personal anecdotes are good, especially from your childhood. Everyone was a child, so everyone can relate to childhood experiences. Talking about other people is good. Talk about people you know: your collegues, friends, boss, family, strangers you met. I found that in order to talk to a stranger or someone online, you sometimes have to talk about small stuff like current events, the weather, hobbies, personal schedule. After a few conversations and a sense of comfort is established, deeper and more personal subjects can be brought up in conversation. No matter what you decide (or don't decide), the key is just to begin talking. ...Even if it is something as mundane as the weather.

The weather is always a reliable topic. Que-ce qui'il fait moche aujourd'hui. Works especially well in Bretagne, Normandie and England, where it always fait moche. Or just look lost and vulnerable, and wait for them to talk to you.

Tu viens de le trouver, chéri...