I've never had this problem. I can literally talk to anyone at anytime...the key thing is to just talk! Say anything! I remember I was in Las Vegas for work and was sitting alone at a crowded restaurant bar, old white man sat next to me and we easily struck up a conversation. Sports helps, its universal.
Discussing Food and Alcohol is easy too. I did that last night with a black girl around my age, she spoke to me first and I was like:
"I'm just trying to decide if I want a drink or not."
"Easy answer, yes," she said. "You only live once."
"What's that you're drinking?" I said.
"Pinot Noir. Trying something different. As long as its red."
"Oh you like your liquor dark, huh. You know what they say about dark, gonna have you dancing on tables in a minute."
Anyway, I just went off her vibe and kept it light and casual...nothing serious like religion or politics.
One thing that always works is to open with a compliment about something about the other person and then elaborate with more questions based on that, being sure to include your personal info as well.
"Man, I wish I could get my beard to grow like yours."
He responds. Continue talking about the importance of grooming and looking clean or how beards give off a certain appearance or how itchy they can be or whatever...just talk and ASK the other person questions, people love to talk about themselves...lol.