I agree, asking someone questions can help you figure out what is meaningful to that person, how that person thinks, & is an essential part of a meaningful conversation. Another important part of maintaining a meaningful and satisfying conversation with someone is sharing things- i.e., experiences, thoughts, feelings- about yourself that add to what the other person is saying. Even if it means veering off subject for a moment. I don’t interrupt; I make eye contact and listen to what the other person is saying, and respond to the part of the person’s story that relates to me, and in this way the conversation revolves around both people instead of just one. This is how I make connections.