I've noticed approach anxiety is a big topic here. Here's an illustrative FR with some nuggets woven in.

I was at a cafe and noticed a girl smiling at me as she picked up her sandwich while I was ordering.

I decided I'd approach her after checking and replying to my email (I'm in the middle of a job search). I finished, packed up my computer, and approached her table.

I set my hand down on table in front of the seat across from her and asked "is this seat taken?" She replies in the negative.

A note for everyone who has been anxious to approach in the past: I have been told "yes" only once in my long history of using this opener, which starts long before I had any game.

I've sat down at tables that seat four where there were three girls. I've joined girls who were sitting alone. I've used this simple piece to get dozens of lunch "insta-dates" in cafes, food courts, any place women are sitting down to eat, alone or not.

Back to the story. I used another simple piece, which runs entirely on honesty: "I was just about to leave and head home, but I didn't want us to miss our chance to meet each other."

She gave me a flattered smile, and introduced herself. I noticed she's inexperienced at this: she got very nervous after making the connection that I'm interested in her as a woman. Maybe I'm selling myself short and she was nervous because I'm so hot. I won't speculate ;)

What happens in between is unremarkable; I ask questions to learn about her and determine how in tune with her emotions she is. She wasn't. I excused myself:

"I think our senses of humor are incompatible. I'm glad we got the chance to meet each other. Enjoy your evening."

Again, powered by honesty, channeled through good social grace. Can't possibly go wrong.

If you still have never approached yet, or have but don't know how to approach someone sitting down, use this. Want a clean exit? Say you have to get going and wish them a good day or evening.

Approach, fuck up the opener, and get a mediocre initial response? Here's my get-out-of-jail-free card: "My mistake, I mistook you for someone else."