Something situational. "This is a pretty good party! X always seems to do a good job getting interesting folks together." Start small, work up. Don't start wit

Something situational. "This is a pretty good party! X always seems to do a good job getting interesting folks together." Start small, work up. Don't start with a long story. Maybe skip the questions, which obligates the other to come up with something, making them uncomfortable. Make a statement about something neutral, or about yourself. See if it gets a response. No? Move on.