Even if there were a local place or activity for socializing, going to a retail store during the day is a good move. Clerks won't have many people competing fo

Even if there were a local place or activity for socializing, going to a retail store during the day is a good move. Clerks won't have many people competing for their attention and the clerk-customer roles make it easy to break the ice. The clerk will realize this isn't a sales discussion but is probably happy to shoot the breeze, anyway. Shopping at a store gives a very nice framework for casual conversation.