How to start a conversation with someone you don't know?

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I was wondering, how exactly can you start a friendly conversation with someone when you have never been introduced to them?

What is the proper way to introduce yourself and start a conversation?

Depends on context. If you at at a place where people could be looking at something (museum, dock, etc.) then you can talk about that and go from there. Otherwise it varies.

It depends on who/where it is. Do you a have a specific situation in mind?

I would generally either comment in a group at first or make a comment relevant to the situation. Then I would ask the persons name and how they know your mutual friend (if that's how you are brought together) and they will likely ask your name as well. I think that's more natural and less formal than just going straight up and introducing yourself but it depends on the situation.

"Don't I know you from somewhere?" is a phrase that usually gets me to start sharing my history. It easily substitutes for the too-blunt "Let's see if we can think of anything we have in common."
Of course, if you spot someone with an Oboe, and you play it, you can go right to talking about favorite music, for example.

I have been laughed at for using that very phrase (when in fact, I was pretty certain I had seen the person before) and was told it's a tired old pickup line.

Turns out I HAD seen the person before, briefly, but we had never been introduced.

I agree that it's often context-specific. Asking questions about their involvement in an event is a start, though.

Well, maybe it is a pick up line, and I've been attracting gay men, mostly. Another possibility is admiring some gear that someone has that you also like, or complimenting them on something they did. If it was something that didn't meet with general approval, they will be especially glad to hear that somebody liked it.

I think my main problem is talking to one person admist a group. I'm not very observant of social structure, and I don't really know how to just start chatting up someone it seems so easy for an NT.

I don't think that there is a 'standard' way to approach this: Each situation is different and you have to 'play it by ear' to some extent. It's also (unless conducted in writing or by telephone) hugely dependent on social circumstances, expectations, conventions, appearances, etc.

So I'm going to address the dreaded subject of ... approaching and sustaining interactions with strangers in public places.

Some severe autists approach total strangers, sometimes with their hand held out for a shake that never comes, saying things like: "Hello, my name's [x]. what's yours?" or seemingly random and bluntly-expressed questions actually intended merely to satisfy a personal curiosity, such as: "Do you like dogs?" All-too-frequently, they receive a socially-negative response (such as mockery, suspicion, being ignored, or occasionally verbal or physical aggression) that is personally incomprehensible and was altogether unpredicted in their personal logic; or even (in the best outcomes) a polite and relevant reply; but in either case, the autistic subject usually has no idea what to do or say next, or will respond with further seemingly-random utterances (I've seen such things happen, and they are exquisitely embarrassing for the other person and for anyone who happens to observe it!).

But I'm sure you're not that bad OP.

Unless you're in a highly-formal social setting with a fair amount of random social mingling involved and a reasonable expectation of coinciding interests (a trade convention, an academic dinner, say, or perhaps a cocktail party), and perhaps not even then, the above variety of (well-intentioned but socially-naïve and potentially alarming) behaviour is guaranteed to scream WEIRDO! at the person who you have approached. (And I stress, I'm sure you wouldn't do that).

An average NT conversation somewhat resembles a form of word-association (as practised by psychiatrists). One party's statement or question provokes a rational and/or irrational reaction in the other party, often calling to mind a personally-associated idea, and their subsequent (carefully edited and self-censored) vocalised response (be that a related comment, a comment on the first party's comment, a response to the first party's question, or a new question posed to the first party) is largely informed by that reaction, but usually expressed in terms appropriate to, suggested by, or believed or even known to be preferable to the first party. Unless the conversation is formal in nature, focussed on one topic, or required to follow strict standards or procedures, it will be largely improvised on the spot and unpredictable even to the participants. There may be various complicating factors in the exchange, such as sexual attraction (mutual or unreciprocated), different professional statuses, social class, age, cultural differences, religious beliefs, etc. This is all conducted within the terms of what is regarded as socially and/or personally appropriate by one or both of the individuals, which may vary depending on the standards and social context relevant to the situation (for example, a conversation with your boss in his office will probably be quite different to the conversation that might occur between you if you unexpectedly recognise each other as participants in an orgy).

It's annoying and confusing for an AS person who is attempting to simultaneously understand and keep track of such a frequently irrational, mostly-unpredictable and organically-developing process, each display of which is subtly influenced by numerous different factors, in which the participants are not necessarily being wholly or even partially open and/or honest at any given moment. And attempted AS participation in such an interaction can, at worst, be highly-stressful, personally-confusing (or even actively distressing), perhaps embarrassing and ultimately demoralising for the AS person.

So don't be dismayed if you successfully strike up a conversation with a stranger and then get confused by the result. Take it slow, keep your emotional responses hidden, try to address at least an aspect of whatever they say to you so that you are staying on topic, even if it means e.g., recounting a personal experience (which may or may not be well received), if the other person changes the subject, they're probably bored with the previous topic, so try to keep up and don't return to the old topic, even if you had things you wanted to say, if you know nothing about the subject they're pursuing tell them so, but express interest by asking them to explain it (or certain aspects of it) to you (you may find it interesting after all). Above all, keep them talking about themselves. NTs love to talk about themselves, and you can frequently keep an NT talking for a long time just by pretending to be interested, and asking the occasional perceptive question to keep them going. And you may, in the process, discover that you're talking to an interesting person, or one who has had an interesting life. Don't give away more about yourself than you feel comfortable disclosing, no matter how well you're getting on. If you can't evade a unwanted direct question about yourself, then one tried and tested response is to, tell them that it's quite a personal question (or that it refers to a very complex personal situation) and that you will answer it when you've got to know each other better -- thus potentially putting it off forever)

I'm certainly no conversational raconteur, just an amateur observer of people, and these are some of the approaches I use (I've never really consciously calculated them, or expressed them verbally, so this should be interesting to type out):

1) First, pick your "victim"!

If you don't already have someone in mind who you would like to talk to, or if you have but that person isn't around right now, look at the people around you (preferably without making it obvious) and allow your attention to wander until it settles on someone,, for whatever reason (ideally, they will be quite nearby as this will make it easier to approach them or attract their attention):

Perhaps they have an interesting face, or are visibly happy or content (and therefore seem more approachable), or you find them attractive (it's OK to talk to attractive strangers, but don't immediately hope that a romantic relationship will develop!), or they seem to be waiting or something/someone, or perhaps they are someone whom you could justifiably approach spontaneously for a socially-positive reason (e.g., in order to offer assistance to an elderly woman struggling with heavy shopping;, or to render assistance/offer directions in the case of someone who is obviously puzzling over a local map), or for whatever reason -- perhaps they are simply the only other person present.

But trust your gut feeling: If you think they could be hostile toward you (e.g., a moody-looking construction worker, this type not being renowned as great conversationalists anyway), or if you suspect that you couldn't approach them without any risk of being perceived as a personal threat to them, (e.g. as a potential sex-pest, if you are a male who is considering an approach to a lone and anxious-looking woman) then simply don't risk it. There will be many other opportunities, either present right now or in the future.

(And if you ultimately can't see an appealing prospect for conversation in your vicinity, then wait for one to appear (if you are going to be there for some time, or have time to kill) or simply forget about having a conversation altogether, and store up your stamina and repartee for another occasion instead).

Once you have identified an individual, selected on whatever grounds, regard them from now on as your partner in conversation (until proven otherwise!)!

2) You're usually on safe ground with the weather!

Conversations between strangers (or newly-introduced people) often start off with one partner's expressing a casual remark about the current weather, or the weather forecast: It's a socially-neutral topic, a harmless icebreaker with no conceivable subtext, and refers to something that is observable to both parties and which immediately (or potentially) affects them both.

This is why, in Britain (where the weather can often change hugely over the course of a single day), the weather at the moment of conversation, and the weather forecast in particular, is both:
(a) A frequent topic of conversation (and, in the case of the weather forecast, an occasional cause of controversy) among already-acquainted people, and
(b) Often deployed as a conversational 'opener' between strangers.

It might go no further than a simple exchange of observations, but once the weather card has been played by one party and accepted by the other, there is always implicit potential for further weather-related conversation, typically introduced by one party's disclosure of some personal reaction to the weather -- e.g., about how the forecast weather might affect or cause certain activities (gardening, a planned trip to the coast, the need to replace a roof-tile, or whatever). Depending on the parties' current moods being agreeable, and on apparent conversational compatibility, the conversation now has potential to develop in completely unexpected directions,

This type of conversation (initiated by a casual reference (possibly of dubious observational value or potential accuracy) to a topic (of strictly-limited conversational potential) which possesses simultaneously the qualities of

a) Unsurpassed banality, and
b) Mundane obviousness;

but which somehow transcends its inherent tedium at some point and subsequently becomes unpredictably wide-ranging in scope or frequently-changing in subject, or settles on some unexpected topic, or takes any number of other forms) can arise spontaneously between complete strangers, and can go on for some time (potentially indefinitely!) until for whatever reason it comes to a halt, either by simply and naturally running out of steam, or by being interrupted (one partner has to leave, or whatever).

Quite frequently, all this detailed interaction occurs despite the fact that the two parties
(a) Never even revealed their names to each other, and
(b) (Depending on the randomness of the circumstances that brought them into contact) implicitly and happily accepted throughout their chat that they would probably never see each other again. (And even if they did, and even if they recognised each other and remembered general or specific details of their conversation, they might choose to do no more than say "Hello" and smile to each other)

So, if you're really stuck, commenting on the weather is often a good start, perhaps asking someone if they know what the forecast is, Play it by ear, and keep it general and who knows where it may lead? Or it may lead nowhere at all, which isn't necessarily a negative outcome (unless, for example, the other person suddenly became hostile and set his dog on you).

Or the situation could be really obvious, such as noticing that someone has been caught in the rain, and sympathising with them (e.g., perhaps you forgot your umbrella) and the exchange might go no further than that;, or you might find yourself sheltering under an awning with others for quite a while, during an unexpected downpour, and ending up in quite a lengthy conversation with one or more of them.

You can even approach the subject very indirectly, should you perceive an opportunity.

An example might be: an existing target of yours is carrying or reading a newspaper, -- or perhaps you have just chosen a new target a moment ago, for this specific reason.

Make your way toward them, and when you are within close proximity and ideally still moving toward them (preferably not when you are standing right next to them, unless you already were to begin with) say something polite in order to draw attention to yourself (aim to say it firmly and loudly enough to be heard clearly first time, taking into consideration any background noise) such as
"Excuse me"
(polite but ambiguous and perhaps not perceived by your target as being directed at them, so you might have to get closer and try again)
or by directly approaching your target and introducing yourself as in need of assistance:
"Hello, I wonder if you could help me?"
(this approach appeals to their social side, and is enhanced if accompanied (at least initially) by -- gasp! -- eye-contact and your best attempt at a friendly smile)
(or, if the newspaper is currently being read:)
"I hope you don't mind me interrupting you"

You have (hopefully) by now gently and politely got their attention, so explain the reason you've approached or interrupted them): "does your newspaper have the weather forecast for tomorrow?" (Possibly followed up with some personal justification for this inquiry whether it's, true or not, such as): "I'm planning a trip to the country"

They may (truly, falsely, or through ignorance) claim that their newspaper doesn't contain a weather forecast. You can apologise and retreat, or (if you're feeling brave and they seemed otherwise open and positive toward you) you could attempt to initiate an unexpected line of conversation by making a remark or asking a question about the newspaper itself (currently a neutral point of mutual interest), or commenting on newspapers in general, or perhaps about some story that's prominent in the news at the moment (asking whether they have read that story in their paper and inquiring as to their personal opinion on the matter). Any of these could yield fruit, or perhaps they will all fail to go further, perhaps because the other person doesn't have any relevant views or opinions, doesn't want to express them, is entirely uninterested by your remarks or question, or has something on their mind, or wants to be left in peace. Or perhaps you just can't think what to say next. When it's obviously appropriate, withdraw with some polite or casual form of farewell, eg: "Oh well, thanks anyway."

Or they may find the weather forecast page for you, and you can examine it (ideally together, but on your own if necessary) -- and this gives you the chance to 'play the weather card' by making some remark or expressing some view on the subject (prepared or spontaneous, and ideally related to notably pleasant or unpleasant recent or current weather conditions), which will hopefully prompt a polite weather-related response from them (perhaps containing personalised elements or recounting a personal experience, which might suggest further remarks or questions to you), or you could directly ask about their opinion/appreciation/forecast on the weather. Try to keep it light and casual, and humorous if possible.

The conversation could dry up quite quickly or after a decent duration (in which case, don't hang about in awkward silence -- quit while you're ahead) or (with the weather now discussed) it could develop (gradually or suddenly) in some foreseeable (or totally unexpected) direction, in which case try to keep the conversation going for as long as possible i.e., until whichever of the following options is applicable first
* You have completely run out of things to say or just feel the need to escape, in which case excuse yourself as soon as politely possible, preferably offering an acceptable made-up or real reason for departing, make sure to thank them (at least, because they shared their newspaper with you, and ideally because you enjoyed meeting them and appreciate the fact that they were welcoming to a stranger), say how nice it was to meet them (even if it wasn't all that nice all or any of the time), and bid a friendly farewell);
or
* The other person obviously loses interest or has to leave

While saying your goodbyes, you may choose (if you are reasonably sure the encounter has at least concluded on a positive note, or (ideally) was mutually enjoyable throughout, or anywhere in between) to take the initiative by introducing yourself by name -- perversely, this frequently happens at the end of encounters between previously-unacquainted people -- by offering your handshake (with eye-contact and smile) and saying: "Good to meet you. I'm [name] by the way." Politeness dictates that the other person will take your hand and tell you their name. You can then go your separate ways, secure in the knowledge that you'll probably never meet one another again.

Or, if things have gone really well, you may come away with something personally meaningful and useful. They might have given you their mobile number or email address. Or arranged or proposed (or even merely expressed a hope of) a vague or specific future meeting. If the details were left undecided and you have their contact details, then get in touch with them the next day (and no later, because either you'll lose your nerve or they'll forget about you) to sort out precise and mutually-convenient details. It may be that they are apparently unable to commit to anything ever at any point in the future (possibly because they were just being polite when they suggested a future meeting, and never seriously thought you'd actually follow it up), so learn to recognise when you're being given the brush-off and chalk it up to experience -- or it may be that they genuinely want to see you again but just don't know when it will be possible, in which case agree to get back in touch at some relevant point in the near future - and make sure you do it.

I think you're American OP, so you might live somewhere that is permanently hot or cold for all I know. If such a situation applies, then you can probably ignore the 'weather' option altogether, because commenting to a random stranger about such an obvious and permanent thing could be perceived as strange or even outright idiotic

3) Make it situation-specific

Are you waiting at a bus-stop? Queuing to get into a club? Waiting to be served at the bar? Examining art in a gallery? Examining menus in a diner? Queuing (or seated) in the work canteen? Attending university? Whatever; the list of possible situations (and of observable things related to them) is almost endless.

Whatever the situation, it gives you something in common with that person, even if the details are very general at this stage, and even if that commonality subsequently proves to extend no further than the temporary duration of your joint situation

UNLESS the standard behaviour expected in that situation means that talking to strangers is regarded as inappropriate (e.g., while travelling with fellow-passengers on the London Underground, where it is unacceptable to even make eye contact); or that talking is ruled out altogether (e.g., certain libraries and some laboratory or medical environments)

There are several possible angles to approaching your chosen target:

* You can perhaps think of some context-relevant comment or observation -- a witty comment or wry observation on some aspect of the situation is good ,(e.g., jokes about the inedibility of the canteen food) or maybe even a spontaneous remark about some unpredictable event that occurs and happens to be noticed by you both (e.g., a pedestrian nearly getting run over).

* If you go for the 'witty comment' line of approach, don't sweat it: It doesn't have to be original, or even very amusing, so long as it is delivered to them personally -- a good moment arises if you happen to make eye contact -- and with a smiling face (n.b., not just consisting of upturned mouth-corners, which always looks insincere at best and unnerving at worst: If necessary, try examining both real and fake smiles in front of a mirror until (even considering that your emotional perceptions are affected by AS) you become familiar with the obvious differences between the two: With practice, you should soon be able to fake a real smile, when needed!).

* Your whole presentation and approach (combining amusing comment, personal address and whole-face smile, executed together and only at a suitable moment) is socially important:

(a) In order to make it clear you're joking around (and are therefore implicitly a pleasant person); and
(b) Because you might encourage them smile back (this is a frequent involuntary NT response to another's smile, particularly one that is directed personally, so the chances of it happening are at least reasonable) or
(c) If your remark was suitably pithy or witty or otherwise humorous, they might even laugh (with varying degrees of sincerity: Even a small and obviously-polite laugh is a good response).

* Whatever the sincerity with which they are expressed, either (or ideally both) of the positive responses described in (b) and (c) will usually (to a high degree of predictability) make the other person (perhaps unconsciously and instinctively, but ideally consciously and rationally) feel:

(a) Positively-inclined toward you (to an individual and unpredictable -- and perhaps to you, undetectable -- degree); or at the very least,
(b) That you are now less likely to be a potential threat (yes, typical NTs really are predisposed to be suspicious of strangers, especially when an unfamiliar man approaches a lone woman)

* Either or both of the above of the judgements will occur naturally to the subject in the moments after the positive interaction -- UNLESS you now proceed to really f**k things up: So tread carefully and (whatever you do!) don't immediately allow yourself to get obviously over-enthusiastic toward the other person, or even visibly excited to any degree, as this behaviour will probably over-write the freshly-imprinted idea of your personal acceptability and instead tend to mark you out in their eyes as a possible nutcase: So try to adopt a 'cool and calm' demeanour, even if your conversational overtures got a positive reaction.

* The 'danger' of making a comment that doesn't appear to demand any particular response or variety of response is that the other person could just go "Mmmm" in a vaguely agreeable-sounding manner (often as a simple social acknowledgement, but sometimes because they couldn't hear you properly and weren't sure how to respond) and then not respond any further. This sort of (non)response doesn't always rule out a further attempt at starting a conversation, after a suitable pause (see below), but if the second attempt also draws a blank, then perhaps you should take the hint and give up on them.

(N.b., The subject may simply ignore you, or look away: Don't be offended or embarrassed if this happens, some people simply don't talk to strangers, or perhaps they didn't understand your humour, or whatever, and this apparently-negative (but possibly-neutral) reaction doesn't necessarily rule out further gambits on your part, should an appropriate opportunity arise, but be prepared to abandon the effort at once if you get a similar (or worse) reaction a second time).

4) Appeal for help

* You could address a situation-relevant question directly to someone (as seen above in the hypothetical inquiry about a newspaper's inclusion of the weather forecast) , because the other person will usually then feel obliged to respond verbally somehow, even if it turns out they don't know the answer; and you might then have a further thought or reaction, which you can verbalise in response to their response, which is often how a conversation gets underway -- even if it goes no further than this for the moment,

So: at the bus-stop, for example -- "Excuse me" (to get their attention politely) "Do you know what time [your particular bus] is due?"

(You might already know this information (indeed, being autistic, you might well have the entire county's bus timetables and ticket prices stored in your memory !), but you're trying to start a conversation, not startle them, so pretend that you don't already know)

The other person may or may not know the answer, but you will of course be ready with some prepared follow-up question designed for this anticipatable reaction, such as: "Do you know if there are there many buses to [your particular destination]?" -- again, if you're getting nowhere with them, consider abandoning them as potential conversation material ... but you never know!

* You've broken the ice and, after a few minutes' silence, the other person might suddenly address some comment to you: This is not uncommon behaviour in these circumstances, but it is sadly, unpredictable, so don't expect it to happen. But if the other person suddenly speaks, it is perhaps because

(a) They secretly feels embarrassed by their own unintentional 'rebuff' to you/or feel sympathetic because you seem 'lost'
(b) They don't really like the feeling of having created (what they perceive as) the present awkward silence, and therefore feel driven to break it
(c) They've just thought of something (perhaps totally irrelevant), and they're telling it to you because you previously spoke to them (or perhaps because there's simply no-one else around)

You may not be able to think of an immediate response, but it is acceptable to simply go "Hmmmm" in agreement (or make whatever noise seems appropriate, disgusted snort, polite laughter, etc). In the present situation, it would be quite acceptable to pause for a measurable amount of time, perhaps even minutes, before making a verbal reply (which can sometimes be convenient to some AS people) ., Some conversations between strangers proceed at a very slow pace, either initially or throughout, although a conversation of this slowness is difficult to predict..

(It is also quite common for the two parties to not make eye-contact at any stage during this process, particularly if both are male).

Or they might point to a timetable, which might give you an opportunity to make some inconsequential remark, like: "Ah, timetables -- a pack of lies, in my experience!" -- which they might pretend they haven't heard, but which might make them laugh -- and they might even make some response relating to their own situation, such as: "Tell me about it! I've been standing here half an hour!", to which you might happen to have some further relevant response (e.g., perhaps you read a newspaper article claiming that the bus company's contract may not be renewed due to its poor standards (offer a headline version (i.e., ideally a single-sentence summary) of the story at first, only expanding and offering details if the other person seems interested -- this offers further potential scope for subjects (e.g., the incompetence of the local council's public transport policy officers, the outrageously large sums of taxpayer money offered in private contracts to such companies,, some anecdote (or a firm news story) involving misconduct by employees of the bus company, etc, etc); or perhaps you can remember (or even -- gasp! -- invent) an anecdote related to bus travel (involving you, or someone else)),

Or they might have a pocket timetable which they will offer you, which is quite a positive personal gesture between two strangers, so be grateful to them.

Or you could take the long-term approach of standing near them (which would not be unusual behaviour at a bus-stop -- but NOT TOO CLOSE!) and just waiting in silence for a few minutes and then saying something like: "I reckon they're forgotten about us!" or (better, because it invites a personal response) "Been waiting long?"

HOWEVER if at any stage you observe, perceive or justifiably anticipate some form of negative verbal and/or physical behaviour by that person, directed at you or not, move away from them (ideally leaving the situation altogether if necessary and practical) and do not attempt further interaction. NB: This is a highly unlikely occurrence.

5) Make/pose an observant remark/question

As an AS person, you have the gift of noticing details that NT overlook. Use it to your advantage.

In the context of an art gallery, possible social overtures might include:
"Hmmmm... you know, I don't think Constable could paint horses' legs very well"
-- which may or may not inspire a comment (particularly if you're not standing in front of a Constable); or
"I've heard a fascinating theory that Picasso's development of the early cubist style was inspired by his frequent migraine headaches: What do you think to that theory?"
--which opens up all sorts of possibilities among highly-cultured gallery visitors and not-so-highly cultured visitors alike (but you would be safe in assuming they were at least moderately-cultured, because they chose to visit a gallery)

In all these situations, being able to make an ''overture' to the other person requires careful physical positioning: Not too close (unless you're forced together somehow. e.g., in a crowd or a queue) and not so far away that you're no longer in a 'shared space' --this is easier to recognise than describe: For example, if someone comes and sit down next to you on the bus, then you are sharing a space (it's rather like an invisible bubble that surrounds you, and it can be small or large or in between, and can even change size while you're in it) and that's a fine situation in which to attempt to make small-talk (the weather (obviously!), the late-running of the bus, the increasing cost of tickets, the traffic-jam you're stuck in, the fact that the driver reeked of hash, whatever seems relevant to your shared experience); on the other hand, you might make eye-contact with a stranger further along a bar and exchange a nod and a smile (or, more likely, roll your eyes humorously and tap your watch, expressing annoyance at how long it's taking to get served) and -- for those few moments -- you are in a shared space, which stretches invisibly between and around the pair of you.

If you're in a social environment with a high degree of fluid intermingling (such as the gallery example, or a bar) then it should be quite easy to work your way toward someone -- or even to pick a new person nearby -- but make it natural and open and casual-looking and don't 'creep up' on them. Once you're suitably near them, don't hang around too long before attempting to talk to them, or you'll look a bit odd -- particularly if you can't help staring at them, which tends to make people nervous, so try to look elsewhere, ideally at something they are looking at (a painting, in the gallery example, but it could be anything at all) because if you've both observed it, then it may suggest a conversation-opener to you.

If it helps, you could make a gentle but unintrusive noise, such as a cough, a sigh, or a rustle of your newspaper/gallery guide, or depositing a handful of coins on the bar (if there's a lot of background noise), so they become aware of your presence gently and indirectly.

And if your overtures prove fruitless, act as though nothing had happened, and move on. You will draw adverse attention to yourself if you display a highly-charged emotional reaction, or involuntarily say something obscene or offensive, or persist in pursuing your unresponsive target (who may become hostile, or draw unwanted attention to you (e.g. gallery security guards, bartenders, or overprotective and potentially aggressive friends), or may panic believing he or she is being harassed or threatened, or some other unpredictable and undesirable outcome)

Right, that's quite enough from me. Christ, I've shat out yet another mega-post that will only be read by masochists.

Any or all or none of the above may be useful to you in whole or part OP, or could potentially be adapted specifically to your individual needs and circumstances or may inspire you to think of completely original approaches of your own.

And don't expect too much in the way of results: You can't create the desired results in people, merely give them the best opportunity to respond positively. Most attempts to initiate encounters with strangers are unsuccessful, of the successful minority most will be brief and impersonal, of the remainder there will be a few that are neither brief not impersonal, but the majority of those don't lead anywhere. But (a) this also applies to encounters between NTs and (b) However unlikely it may appear, friendships and more can and do frequently result from interaction with compatible strangers (although you have no way of knowing they're incompatible without talking to them).

Start small but be ambitious and aim to keep expanding your limits, Keep each encounter as simple as it can be, don't be afraid to make an excuse and leave if you get overwhelmed, run out of things to say, decide you don't like the other person much, or if you think they want to get rid of you. Don't get downhearted by any perceived failures -- use your AS mind to analyse what (if anything) went wrong and if possible, figure out ways of avoiding it in future, Approach each potential encounter displaying optimism and positivity (even if you feel neither): At the very least it's a potential opportunity to pass some time (fleeting or otherwise) or share an experience with another person.

And practice makes less imperfect.

^^^^^^^
Oh wow... I think that is longer than all my posts ever combines

Thank you for your step by step instructions! I will print this out (as soon as I confiscate the Amazon Rainforest)

Recreational stimulants may have been involved.

That is step two, actually

Step one is finding the courage to make that social leap

can I have some?

If you type like him you better use a giant keyboard, or else the friction from your fingers hitting each other will burn your skin off

Introducing yourself usually doesn't come first. Most conversations I have are with strangers, and often I never introduce myself at all because there's no need to. As long as we both know why we are having a conversation, that's enough in some cases.

The proper way is by eschewing formulaic conversation in favor of whatever it is you have to say. Sometimes the best thing to say is nothing.
I used to focus on "what to say" and I would freeze up easily because I wasn't paying enough attention to the person. It's like dribbling a basketball without looking at it, or typing on a computer without looking at the keyboard.

Why does it take courage? Genuine question: Are you afraid of other people?