There's a pervasive sentiment that cold approaching is blasphemous everywhere but bars and clubs (and even then you have your angry mob online who tell you that women just go to these places to dance with friends and shouldn't have to put up with advances from opportunistic men)

I've asked quite a few women about it in person now and they more or less echoed the same thing which was that unless the guy looks like the elephant man or has a pushy or disrespectful attitude, they would take an approach as a compliment. Even a direct one where a guy just point blank says something like 'Hey I know this is real spontaneous but life is short and I think you're incredibly cute and have a friendly vibe so if you're somehow single I would love to take you out and get to know you over a coffee sometime'

Even if they're caught off guard by the approach and fumble and stumble in the moment and it becomes a bit awkward, as long as the guy knows how to gracefully fuck off, they will in hindsight get a bit of a self esteem boost from it. A few said that it would put them on edge at first (one of them was stalked back to her car by a guy she smiled at) but if the guy is respectful and attractive it would ultimately become flattering.

The other thing to consider is that for a lot of guys in this day and age, cold approaching really is the best shot they've got at meeting women they're truly attracted to.

Joining sports teams and volunteer groups and classes and going to friends parties and all that is great and shouldn't be discredited, but personally I have never organically met someone who I was highly physically attracted to... in fact the only times in recent memory where I have crossed paths with women I find physically beautiful these days is when I'm going about my day at the shops or walking through the city or environments where there is no chance to organically meet people.

For too many years I would walk past a woman who made my jaw drop and tell myself it wasn't appropriate to approach her, and pray that I matched with her on a dating app or that she would join my mixed volleyball league... never happened. I realized that I needed to start creating my own luck. And unlike with dating apps at least you can tell immediately whether you're actually attracted to them.

I've since had a few dates with women I approached who I would otherwise never have met since most of them weren't using dating apps. I still find it a bit nerve wracking and rejections sting a bit but they don't burn your soul like regrets do. Sure It might make them a bit uncomfortable for 30 seconds but that's a small price to pay for a potentially great relationship.

Of course you should still read their nonverbal cues and act appropriately - if they look to be in a huge hurry or look upset or are on the phone or wearing earphones (which unfortunately most people do these days when they're by themselves) or they look to be with a parent or work colleagues then let them be.

Uglier guys will have it tougher, unfortunately physical unattractiveness is often misinterpreted as creepiness, but that's not to say that they shouldn't ever bother, they should just wait for an additional green light such as making eye contact without them looking away or a brief smile.

Thoughts?