Hey there sedditors. I do have self confidence and understand that I am a good and worthwhile guy, but I just have trouble walking up and starting conversations with strangers or groups of people (especially at bars or parties). It's just... awkward for me... I feel awkward about it. I just know that if I was just standing talking to friends and some random person just walked up and started trying to talk to me or one of the girls in my group, I would be kinda weirded out. I bought "The Game" yesterday and am enthralled, at this rate I will probably finish within the next few days. I am definitely getting some good pointers from that.

I'm just wondering if you guys could give me some tips on opening? Techniques or lines you use, etc... Once I open I am confident I can sustain a conversation and close, but it's just the opening part that I can't seem to pin down. Normally my openers consist of me trying to get a girls attention by complimenting their earings or tattoos for example, but that does not seem to be working very well. I have had the most success opening by asking if the girl has a cigarette/lighter I could borrow (but some girls find smoking a turn-off, so this technique can backfire). Tips? Help?