Looking for a practice partner to practice "The Art of Conversation".

I'm an older guy and I confess that my conversational skills are . . . not very artful at all.
I'm also an introvert which means - for me - conversations have tended to be outside my comfort zone.
And, being a guy . . . enough said?

Still, I can't stay in my cave all the time and developing and maintaining good conversational skills are, at the very least, part of surviving "out there".

The Simbi Proposal:
To meet with someone (or more than one) for a approximately 30 minutes:
- solid 15 minutes in the practice of "The Art of Conversation"
- afterwords - 5-10 minutes for evaluation (what went well, what areas to work on, etc)

Some Particulars:
- Be able to meet in the Thornton / Northglenn area (South of 120th St)
- Venue: coffee shop, fast food place (sorry, I won't be buying); park bench, etc
- Not looking for a "communication expert"; anyone (male / female); any level will do
- Conversation starters? We could start our first conversation discussing "The Art of Conversation"

I found a few tips online (many books on the subject).
I will probably print out a little "cheat sheet" for myself as a guide.

What is "the art of conversation"?

From Success.com :

"The art of conversation is a necessary skill for almost everything in life. Conversations introduce you to people, important people who could be your mentors, employers, employees, partners or friends. Without conversations as the foundation for those relationships, you’ll have a hard time building a social circle, starting a business or advancing your career."
http://www.success.com/article/6-tips-to-rule-the-art-of-conversation

6 Tips to Rule the Art of Conversation

1- Compliment
2- Embrace Small Talk
3- Ask Lots of Questions
4- Be Nice
5- Let the Other Person Do the Talking
6- Keep it Light and Positive

http://www.success.com/article/6-tips-to-rule-the-art-of-conversation

From Essentiallifeskills.net :

"The art of conversation, like any art, is a skill of elegance, nuance and creative execution.
I happen to believe that there is an art to everything we do and why not? Without flair and panache most things become drudgery. Why settle for drudgery when you can have art?"
http://www.essentiallifeskills.net/the-art-of-conversation.html
Tips:
- Show Interest and Be Curious
- Ensure a Balance of Give and Take
- Be Interesting and Have Something to Say
- Be Relaxed; Be Yourself
- Practice - And Practice Some More

And Wait ! There's More:
Quick-Tips for The Art of Conversation
1- Do not dominate a conversation or make it all about you. A monologue is not conversation.
2- Show interest and curiosity in others.
3- Strive for a balance of give and take.
4- Be an active listener by maintaining good eye contact and asking pertinent questions.
5- Train yourself to relax by using visualization, meditation, or other relaxation methods. Being relaxed is vital for good conversation.
6- Do not interrupt and cut in with your own ideas before the other person is finished speaking.
7- Maintain an open mind; everyone has a right to express themselves even if you don't agree with what they are saying.
8- Although this is cliché, try to avoid topics such as sex, religion and politics. You would be surprised at how many people get trapped by them and end up in verbal battle, not conversation.
9- Be prepared by staying on top of the latest news, developments and world events.
10- Be approachable by staying relaxed, smiling and maintaining a friendly attitude.

Thank you Z. Hereford
http://www.essentiallifeskills.net/the-art-of-conversation.html