WHEN I was a child, my parents always told me that I should never talk to strangers. This was part of a whole list of things I should never do: Never accept food or candy from strangers, never get in a car with strangers, and so on.

　　可如果我们不试着与陌生人讲话，就交不到新朋友，连份工作也找不到，还将错过与陌生人分享另一种生活的乐趣。

　　If we didn't start a conversation with strangers, we'd never make new friends. We'd never get a job. We'd miss out on the joy that comes from talking with unfamiliar people about their lives.

　　当你旅游时，注重与当地人沟通能让你了解该处风土人情。此外，和其他同行者谈天说地也不错，这不仅能带来实用的建议，听到一些精彩冒险故事，说不定你还可以找到将来一起出行的旅伴！

　　Whenever you travel, it's important to converse with the locals to learn what life in the place you're passing through is like. It's also good to strike up a conversation with other travelers. You can get some useful advice, hear amazing adventure stories, and maybe even pick up a partner for future trips!

　　同样的道理也适用于本地社交活动。在咖啡馆、俱乐部与陌生人搭讪也能让你交到新朋友，幸运的话甚至可以找到一个恋人。而且，这总比你一个人枯坐整个下午或晚上有意思多了。

　　The same thing applies to social settings closer to home. Talking with a stranger at a café or club could get you a new friend or even a romantic partner. It's also a much more entertaining way to pass the afternoon or evening than sitting alone by yourself.

　　更何况，在如今这个社会，想在事业上出人头地就一定要有良好的人脉关系。你认识的人越多，就越有可能碰到那些能帮你带来机会的人物。

　　And, in a world where getting ahead professionally often depends on personal connections, the more people you know, the more likely you are to find someone who can help you find opportunities.

　　下文将提供一些社交指南，教你如何与陌生人搭讪。读了这个，你就知道什么该说，什么不该说，以及怎样最大限度地把握每一场谈话。

　　The following pages offer you the ultimate social guide, with some advice on how to mingle with strangers. You'll learn what to say, what not to say, and how to make the most out of each conversation.

　　开场白：如何打破沉默

　　Try breaking the ice

　　别只顾着低头看鞋，走过去和生人打个招呼。当你意识到自己正与文化背景迥异的人面对面，以下这些开场白将帮你度过尴尬时刻。

　　Don't just stare at your shoes. Go say "Hi" to that new guy. The ice-breakers that follow will help you get through the embarrassing moments when you find yourself in front of people from different cultures:

　　英式开场白：天气不错，对吧？

　　British: 'Beautiful day, isn't it ?'

　　英国的天气变化莫测。因此，天气是英国人最关心的话题之一。谈论天气时有个简单的秘诀：无论你是否同意说话人的观点，都要回答"对".这是因为英国人常以天气为开场白，以达成一致立场，继而转谈其他话题。

　　The weather in Britain is unpredictable. So, it's one of the topics the British care most about. And there's a simple rule governing weather-speak: Say, "Yes" whether you agree with the person's comment on the weather or not. That's because the British start a conversation using the weather so that they can find common ground and move on to something else.