The art of conversation . . .

is not one I've mastered yet.

When Husband used to walk George he would come back and tell me all the gossip he'd heard from various dog-walkers he'd meet on his way. "You know, the woman with a bun and poodle who won at Crufts?"

I have no idea about  whom he's talking.

I can manage to return 'good morning' or 'hello' but if the speaker then makes another comment I panic. 

"Morning."

"Morning."

"Lovely day again."

"Um yes," then because I think that sounds too abrupt I repeat, "yes, lovely."

Then again when I do 'make conversation' it usually turns out that I really shouldn't have. Like the other day when a dog growled at Louie. I said, "I'd growl too if someone sniffed my bottom."

Almost certainly shouldn't say these things to complete strangers.