4 tips for starting a conversation without seeming awkward

Anyone can learn how to become a conversation-starter.Strelka Institute for Media, Architecture and Design/Flickr

Conversation skills is often acquired through practice and experience.

Ask open-ended questions that will allow the conversation to flow naturally.

Simply walking up to a person and making an introduction can be a straightforward and effective way to start a conversation.

Whether you're new at the office, solo at a party, or stuck waiting somewhere like an airline gate, you may grow more and more self-conscious the more time passes without starting up a conversation with others nearby.

How great does it feel, though, when some preternaturally gifted conversationalist throws you a social life raft and starts an easy, amiable chat?

Instead of waiting for a socially forward person to start up a conversation with you, be the person we're all hoping approaches us. Most people aren't natural social butterflies — being socially at ease and comfortable engaging strangers is often a learned trait. Additionally, most people really are happy to talk, they're just waiting for someone else to make the first move.

So here are a few "moves" that will help you start conversations with strangers, no awkwardness required.