Cold talk and starting a conversation with someone you never met is not a natural skill for everyone; myself included - I am extrovert when being around people I know or people someone who is with me knows, but shut as a clam when with strangers.

Doing something together that you can talk about to get to know each other's preferences and what you picked up from the experience is a great way to break the ice.

I particularily enjoy going to a museum, theatre or music concert on a date, and try to suggest something I haven't seen or heard before.