Ask Lemmy

Do something poorly/dangerous in the gym, attach yourself (politely) to the person who comes to help,

Or do something you're passionate about and offer your knowledge to people who are earnestly trying their best but not doing it well (be conscience and ask if they'd like your experience to guide them)

Alternatively go hang out at an old folks home, they'd love your company, they'll regail you with stories from their glory days, and they'll probably talk you up to their family.

Volunteer your time at animal shelters/public service events.

Step #1 - Be attractive.

Step #2 - Be very outgoing.

Step #3 - Be ridiculously charming.

Do this, and you will attract interest from random strangers who see you being wonderful, and want to be involved in whatever you are doing and / or saying.

Get a pirate hat. Wear that pirate hat. If they start the convo, quickly let them know you are on the lookout for more booty.

On a more serious note, other than having something interesting to talk about (dog, coloured hair, pirate hat), be sure to watch the eyes and try to hold eye contact with people who interest you first. We look at things that interest us. But please don't stare!

Longer than one second is basically a big sign of interest, so maybe crack a smile. IF they are super interested and confident, chances are good that they will approach you.

Good luck, sailor.

Get a dog, or a child; they’re chick-magnets. Even if not your own. Maybe you could take a nephew/niece/whatever to the playground once a week? Walk the neighbour’s dog for a few blocks? As someone else said, once there’s a prop, they’re not approaching you directly, they’re interacting with a common interest, and that’s a good way to meet people.

Use “social props.” I’m not sure if that’s a real term, but like the colored-hair guy said, it’s about creating an easy conversation starter and giving people “permission” to approach you. An interesting hat, reading a book where people can see the cover / title, a pet or a friend’s pet, doing a hobby like painting (you don’t have to be good at it), comic books, musical instrument, D&D manual, playing dominos…whatever! If someone wants to chat, just give them a small natural conversation starter and frequently look up from it, take breaks, smile; so they know it’s ok to interrupt you. If someone shows interest by a prolonged or repeated glance, just smile and say, “Hey are you into ‘whatever’ too?”

Until very recently, I had neon colored hair. Pink, blue, green, orange, purple, red; the whole rainbow. Changed it once every few months.

Women very frequently came up to me to compliment my hair and often would lead to conversations about where I got my dye, who did it, etc. like women stopping their cars in parking lots just to give me a compliment. More often than not it turned into a short convo, that usually ended around the time I mentioned my wife was the artist who did my hair.

Had I known this was a thing before I was married, I would have died my hair in a heartbeat.

I think it may have been a little disarming and was something unique enough that it was worth striking up a convo.

be in the moment

speak about the moment

if that moment isn't happening, dont force it

Get a cute dog. Or a cat on a leash. Give them something to talk about.

Just get it printed on a shirt.

Along with something funny.

have you considered purchasing (or renting?) a Horga'hn?

You have to talk to them.

Try to just be friends. Try to be funny. Try to be a little irreverent. Unpredictable. Amusing.

Nice day huh?

Did you see that cool show / game last night / dog that ran by just now with a six pack of beer?!

Excuse me you look really familiar. Have we met before?

Hi I’m Fred what’s your name? (Only do this if your name is Fred otherwise it gets awkward)

If they blow you off whatever. That one was just practice.

You got this bud!