Initiating conversation

[marshlander]

...However my idea of more personal questions would be :where are you from? how have you been here ? How you find it? Ask them to tell about where they come from if applies. What do they do for a living ect but in a pace that keep s the conversation flowing. However this could be a bit nosey isnt it? Plus people can be really boored with these questions!

A common greeting here in Norfolk is "All right?" (said with a Norfolk or Fenland accent of course). It's a short step to "How's your day been?" and so on. Most people seem to like to tell you about themselves. If they are bored with that you probably don't want to continue the conversation anyway Besides, if they don't like what you are asking they could always switch the conversation to something else. No, I don't think your questions are too nosy. Asking him when he last masturbated or how much money he earns would be too nosy ...