How do you talk with people who won't talk about themselves?

I’ve known some of these people since childhood. I notice when we start conversations, they always want to hear me talk first. What’s happening in my life, what’s new, what’s going on with such and such or so and so. Even when I politely ask them about how they are doing, more than half the time the question gets ignored (even when it’s sent as a random message). I’m not one to spill others’ secrets or have upset these people in any way like that. Is it just more comfortable for them to let someone else talk first? My mom just says they want to know about you but they don’t want you to know about them. In some cases, yeah, but I choose not to be suspicious or paranoid about it like she is. How do you deal with such conversations? How do you get them to open up, and early in the conversation? Do you think it should be encouraged if they don’t feel comfortable?