I have found from my experiences trying to force myself out of my comfort zone, that the experience of being approached and spoken to a stranger is MILDLY disorienting and raises certain alarms.
However... it is not nearly as awkward for the receiver as most people think it will be. It is mostly stressful for the initiator.
The main concern from the receiver's side is, what does this person want from me. The golden phrase for me when someone doesn't open smoothly is,
>>"I just saw you sitting there, and you seemed like a really interesting, stylish person."
Or some other statement of interest. That seems to set their minds at ease, because you've "shown your cards" as it were, and aren't about to spring some sales pitch on them.
However... it is not nearly as awkward for the receiver as most people think it will be. It is mostly stressful for the initiator.
The main concern from the receiver's side is, what does this person want from me. The golden phrase for me when someone doesn't open smoothly is,
>>"I just saw you sitting there, and you seemed like a really interesting, stylish person."
Or some other statement of interest. That seems to set their minds at ease, because you've "shown your cards" as it were, and aren't about to spring some sales pitch on them.