Asking questions and dealing with uncomfortable social situations?

Asking questions and dealing with uncomfortable social situations? Hey all, it seems that a lot of the time, I have some issues with asking questions when I am talking with someone who I don't really know? Do you know of any tricks that you use to ask questions? I have been working on trying not to get worked up in these situations and also trying to implement some meditative and stoic techniques to not letting slip ups affect me.