What to say before the conversation becomes awkward?

[Tatabita]

When you are with someone (friend/stranger) and you run out of things to say, what should you talk about so the conversation doesn't get weird and awkward?

[FireFox001]

I usually say it right away, that we ran out of topics and open a new one for conversation. I am not shy in this respect. I will not be found bitching around.

[JohnK123]

Prob ask them what they doing or how life is going etc