where am i supposed to meet and talk to women?

edit: is there a serious tag?

there are no public spaces in the US to meet and talk to strangers, in particular, women. in nearly all (speed dating possibly the exception) possible interaction she is not there to meet romantic partners. any atempts at flirting are intruding on her world of doing whatever she's doing.

either you intrude on their presumed "not talking to anyone" status (e.g. public transportation) or you break the bounds of whatever "legitimate" interation you were having.

this was inpired by going to the grocery store and the attractive checkout woman "flirting" with the fat, much-older guy in front of me, but when it was my turn, and i acted polite but not pushing the interaction beyond what was necessary, she was cold and distant.

obviously, "classes" and "meet-ups" are total bullshit.