What subjects do people normally talk about in the early sages of getting to know someone?

The answer verifies. It depends on how you come to know the people, where you get to know him/her and what is the relationship between you two. For example, when you meet someone at your friend's party, you can talk about the places that you can hang around, talk about the people you know together, talk about his/her/your families, make jokes about your work. But if you meet somebody at your office, certainly you can not making jokes about your work. Instead, you two can talk about something that you can get to be more familiar with each other, such as how long he/she has been working here, what subject he/she is working on, and what's more, you can also ask he/her opinions about the place if he/her or you is new there.

People usualy do not invite others that they do not know well in the evening. Of course, having dinner is not said to be hanging out in the evening. For visitors with very good relationship, you can invite him/her to your home, but not him/her alon