So I'm sitting down at the patio outside of a Panera Bread. I'm sipping my tea and reading a book I just bought not more than a half-hour ago. It's a beautiful day out, and I'm enjoying it.
Suddenly, this teenager comes up to me with an introduction like we're old buddies. But there's this furtiveness about him that clearly communicates to me that he wants something. The first thing that crosses my mind is, "How do I get rid of this clown?"
While I'm being polite and trying to think of a way to get back to my reading, he pulls out a deck of cards and proceeds to do a generic ACR.
Why won't he let me read my book in peace?
Panera Bread serves food? Like a restaurant? I honest to goodness thought it was only a bakery - like, you go in, pick up stuff, and leave.
Anyway, this is what happens when you pick the wrong person at the wrong time. And here, I'm talking about striking up a conversation, not doing magic to someone. You don't bother people who are actively engaged (you make an exception for if they're talking, because you're going to go talk to them.)
You can tell if people are trying to politely get rid of you or if they really want to talk.
So, basically, you just go over at a table, with two or three people that are hanging out, and just say something like: "Hey, my name is *toyrobot*, whats up with you?" or "I heard you talk about nuclear physics, and i have an interesting theory... "
Don't get me wrong, but i just want to know how it goes. Because i never done that, or did that ever happened to me, or anyone that i know. And i hang out in coffee places every single day, and never heard of such "event".
This is pretty interesting topic in my opinion.
This might be a bad example, but ever watch the Pick-Up Artist? One of fundamental skills they teach them is approaching a group and talking to them. It works in the right situation with the right group. I'm not going to go to someone and say, "Hey, what's up?" and leave the conversation at that. I have to bring something to it and let them know why I'm talking to them. Shared experiences are a good way. I've struck up conversations with strangers about rude servers at a food stand, about music at a concert, with a coworker I really didn't know or talk to but happened to catch out at the mall, talking to a group of strangers I found out role-plays, meeting my best friend (who actually started talking to
me) at a hobby store, dozens of people when I was back in high school, and dozens more at a computer cafe / gaming store type place. Etcetera. If you're in a certain place and can talk to people about that place, it helps.
You don't talk to people who look busy - reading, wrestling with their kid, on their cell phone. You find people in a social environment who look like they're having fun. Try starting a conversation about something. If it sticks, you can tell, and have fun meeting this person. If they don't want to talk, you can also tell, and you can excuse yourself and head out. (Just whatever you do, don't talk to Steerpike if you happen to meet him somewhere, because his mean-ness is legendary and he will make you cry)
Second example: "I heard you talk about nuclear physics, and I have an interesting theory..."
The above rules apply, but sure. You're talking to someone about something they're interested in, it's bound to at least hook them. You just need charisma and the ability to hold a conversation
