@whbrill,
- Be aware of the various situations you would want to break the ice in (and they are myriad).
- Consider the situation you are in. Are you a completely new person to the crowd/person? Does anyone know you?
- Introduce yourself, or allow someone to introduce you to the group. No matter what, you will need to do that. Otherwise, you are just this weird stranger that has walked up and interrupted their conversation.
- At this point, you can refrain from saying anything else, or ask what was the conversation at the moment. If you don't say anything, what you are doing then, is listening to what is being said in the group.
- If talking to one person, the dynamics will change a bit. If after introducing yourself, you stand there and say nothing, you make your partner very nervous.
- Start it with something as traditional and cliche as complimenting the person or commenting on the weather. Something that could be considered non threatening.
- Try to be friendly!! Take risks. Don't anticipate rejection. Talk to your family to practice.