It helps if you realize that most people are delighted to talk about themselves, if you can find the right angle. They may be passionate about cars, or gardening, travel, their children.

Also realize that most people have spent a lot of time doing whatever they do, and there are things they know about it that few other people do.

For example, someone who works in a laundry might have insights into the laundry business, or the people who come in late at night or the values of different kinds of detergent.

Someone who works at a mall may well know things about them all that you don't. There may be aspects to their job that they find challenging or painful.

I seem unable to care much about other people (not officially diagnosed on the spectrum, but it seems obvious to most people who know me), but I am interested in the insights they can give me, and I genuinely want them to be happy.

Having a conversation like that also beats sitting around awkwardly.