Since I have problem looking at "regular people" in the eyes when they tell me they love Bon Jovi and Celine Dion, I usually go for a vague "er... classic, old school rock and more modern indier stuff... so what did you say you do for a living?"

As for finding out about people's taste, if said person's record collection is nearby, I give it a good look, otherwise, I just ask the damn question. I'm more into asking the good old "Top 5 Recording Artists?"

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"The only thing I knew how to do
Was to keep on keepin' on like a bird that flew,
Tangled up in blue." Bob Dylan