Agreed. The key is to ask questions that reveal what the other person enjoys talking about, and then focus the conversation on that. Some people love talking about their work, some about their favorite tv shows, some about their vacations, some about their kids. One way to start is by asking for recommendations (“You see any good movies lately?”). Ideally, you find a topic that genuinely interests you as well. If you’re lucky, they’ll turn it around and start asking you questions as well.

Just be interested, not intrusive. They will like you more if it doesn’t feel like an interrogation, but rather an opportunity to share their thoughts with someone who actually sees them.