I don't have that big of a problem approaching people. Yeah I still get some butterflies in my stomach, but it used to be so much worse. I used to plan out approaches from start to finish, and I would treat it like it was some huge deal. When I actually did it, I would be shaking and sweating from the nervousness.

My problem now isn't approaching people. My problem is what to say after the initial "Hello" or "Hey how's it going".

I tried the typical "Hello" opener at two college parties, both of them ended abruptly and awkwardly because I didn't know what to say afterwards. I tried asking what their majors where, where they were from, etc. The conversation wasn't going anywhere and it was really awkward, so I just left. I literally could not think of anything to say, it's as if my mind suddenly went blank.

I haven't been on seddit in over a year, but when I was new to it I was actually pretty good. I was able to establish rapport with a girl I just met (she actually initiated contact in me first, though).

tl;dr: How the hell do you establish rapport after "hello", and what do you talk about?