How to Be Interested in People?

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How can I take an interest in strangers and acquaintances given that I don't know anything about them and they rarely say anything interesting the first few times we meet?

Well, they aren't interesting as a rule, unless they know something about our special interest or are interested in hearing us talk about it.

You could try asking yourself, "How could interacting with this person benefit me?" and use the possible answers (the person might know directions to where you are going, might have a cute sister who's single, might be a potential client, etc., etc.) to motivate you to engage with them.

I find putting yourself into social situations which are on topic helps. Then at least you'll know the people there are interested in what you are, and you'll be more inclined to be interested in what they're saying because your interest areas align. I also find that an interest group can allow you to gauge what the person's values and character might be - I recently had an interesting time in conversation with a philosophical group, because we were all there to learn about and practice the same philosophy. Just an idea.