[QUOTE=enigm4tic]
Damn, my problem is that I can’t go up to the girl in the first place. Give me an opening, some sort of shared conversation opener (somebody doing something outrageous to comment on, waiting in line, anything simple I know I can relate on) and I can take it from there, but sit me in a party and tell me to introduce myself and I freeze, i practically need to carry around a pick to break the ice (figuratively speaking)
[/QUOTE]
This a huge topic, and people that are really good at it (0.0001% of the population) still try out new material all the time.
I’ve found one that works surprisingly well, given the right situation. (Right, meaning not in a dark alley at 2am.) Here it is:
tap tap (on the shoulder)
“Hey. What’s goin’ on?”
What you do after that, of course, is what this thread is all about. But I find that as an opener, it’s gold.
Here’s a fun one for on an elevator. Even if you’re not interested in starting a conversation, it’s a great way to, ahem, elevate everyone’s mood. About two seconds after the door closes, face forward, don’t smile, just look dead serious. In a low voice – almost a whisper – say “Isn’t it interesting how everyone shuts up on an elevator.” To the first person that laughs (hopefully she’s the cute one), cut them off before they say more than a syllable with “Shhh! No talking!”
Needless to say, that not a great idea if anyone is having a converstion.