Definitely. I love talking to people about their work, whatever it is.
It's an easy way to get someone to open up to you and you're bound to learn a few things if you're willing to display your lack of knowledge in their domain.
If you approach the conversation with candor, it rarely seems trite
I like to ask people about the strangest/largest/farthest/most unexpected/whatever they have experienced in their work. It shows genuine interest and lets people talk about what they know in a natural story format and since they are taking about something they have witnessed, they don't necessarily need to talk about themselves if they are not comfortable with that.
It's an easy way to get someone to open up to you and you're bound to learn a few things if you're willing to display your lack of knowledge in their domain.
If you approach the conversation with candor, it rarely seems trite