At any social gathering, it is important that a person not give in entirely to feelings of
being "Shy". All people should be prepared to tell others your name.
Also, one should be prepared to tell people Where you go to school, or where you work, or what part of town you live in. These are common social graces.
Other information that can be given afterward may involve telling people
What you want from life. Conversation in social contexts is conducted by giving the other person as much personal information as they give you, IF YOU TRUST THEM.
Basically, conversation is governed by trust. In other words, if a person makes you feel uncomfortable or strange, you can simply say to them; "Excuse me." and walk away.
In some cultures, people have been accustomed to never discuss themselves, and that makes it awkward when Americans meet them, because Americans are very "open". They do not usually go through life "hiding" their feelings, their thoughts, and their ideas.
Of course, there are exceptions. Even amongst Americans there can be socially inept people. "Social Primitives" perhaps exist in all societies. They are people who cannot talk to other people and for them, being normal involves living out some kind of an "act".
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(hope that helps)