I have a few friends who when we go somewhere we have to stop every ten feet to talk to someone that they know, while we have never met them. We'll be talking about doing something and my friends always know someone who can get that done for cheap. I know that, for one of these people, it started in high school at foot ball games. By the time we sat down to watch the game it was coming to an end because he had to stop and talk to everyone. He now has a job with red bull and chilled with Travis Pastrana during the red bull New Years event in SD a few months ago, all because of his connections.

One of the main reasons I use this sub is because I want to be like this, or at least similar. But how? I mean, when I'm in class I make friends with the people around me and such, but that is many people, you know. I feel like it's awkward to just spark up a conversation with some random person as I'm walking or something like that.

During rush, for my fraternity, we talk about hook line and sinker. If your not one of these you bring someone who is in on the conversation and they can finish from there or what not. I am a very weak sinker and can't even get close to hooking. So, once a conversation is started, e bennisimo. But, I have a lot of trouble getting to that point. What are some tips on the hook part of meeting people, with social intentions?

EDIT: Hook line and sinker is pretty simple. You first have to hook someone, basically comfortably start a conversation with someone. To line them is to be able to control the conversation and guide it towards the preferred outcome which is the sinker. Basically you are leading up to it and building repore(I don't know why I just can't think of how to spell the word right now) with the person, with yourself or organization. Finally you sink the deal, and succeed with your original goal.

I understand the second two of these, once I begin talking to someone and it's open I'm good, it's getting there I can't do. How are you supposed to start a conversation with a stranger. Like while you're standing in line for food or studying in the library, walking to wherever. I'm uncomfortable with it because I don't know what to say, even though I understand that after I say something it will turn out okay. For example, if I'm at the climbing gym working and I see some people working on a problem that looks interesting to me, I'll ask if I can join them, building an opening for the next time I see them and it's all good from there. I just rarely know what to say to begin.

I don't know about for you guys, maybe some of you, whenever I'm talking to someone that is still your acquaintance I tend to, while knowing what to say, feel as if I'm coming off know-it-all like, and cocky. Whether it is or not I'm unsure of, but I'm definitely not trying to. Oddly enough, when I'm talking to a girl at my party I find it easier to do this and I don't feel it's nearly as bad. I think of the latter as being more confident and accepted, where as the former has a negative thing that I think pushes instead of pulls, I hope that made sense.