It's all about practice. It may help you to know that most people studying a second language have exactly the same problem. You can order a drink at MacDonald

It's all about practice. It may help you to know that most people studying a second language have exactly the same problem. You can order a drink at MacDonald's or reserve a seat at a restaurant, but casual conversation is quite difficult. As someone else said here, start with a standard set of things. I often talk about the weather. Keep track of how the weather has been and make a remark about it ("It's been hot our recently, hasn't it", etc). It's also important to consider greetings when you start a conversation. I talk to people on the street a lot (it helps that I live in a small town). At first, build familiarity just by smiling and saying, "Good morning" or hello. I have a very firm personal rule that if I pass someone older than me on the street and there are very few people around, I will smile and say "Hello". Smiling is very important, so don't forget that. After a few times, you can try your opening observation and see if they respond. If they don't, just let it go. If they do, try for a very small conversation (one or two sentences is absolutely fine!) But the real trick is to transition into questions. Most people like talking about themselves and their preferences. You need to cultivate a curiosity about the other person. If they respond to the comment about the weather, think of a follow up question, "Do you like summer", etc. It's important to listen to what they are saying and to try to ask a question that is relevant to that that thing. It really takes a fair bit of practice, so don't be discouraged if you find it difficult. The other important thing to consider is how to close the conversation. Once you get to an awkward silence, or if you just want to bail (which is totally fine), you need to learn how end the conversation and move on. This is also surprisingly difficult. Again, smiling is really important. If you are not used to smiling, practice smiling so that it more or less feels normal. Then just say something like "I'll talk to you later". If find that elderly people are often very lonely and are very good conversation partners. Just walk down the street to find some. Or go to a bar and find someone drinking by themselves. Another thing you can do if you have time is to volunteer at a retirement home. If you find yourself in parties, my advice is to pace yourself. Take opportunities, but don't feel that you have to stay for hours on end just because you think you have to mingle. Talk to a few people and when you've had enough, go home. Make sure to thank your host and be fairly candid about appreciating being invited, but that you have a low party threshold. One last piece of advice that I think I got from the anime for "Sangatsu no lion" (Out like a lion). If you are having trouble meeting and making friends, start by making an animal friend. Then make a friend who is older than you. Then make a friend that is that same age as you. It's kind of like leveling up -- making friends in your peer group can actually be stressful and difficult for a lot of people.