This one kind of came to me and was discovered largely by accident. I've recently been exploring the idea of creating a story where none exists. That is, creating a situational framework from which to establish a dialogue. The theory behind this exists in the concept of complicity; initiating a connection with a person through shared experience. Ok, now to my opener.

So I'm walking around Barnes & Noble and I see this HB sitting and reading a book. So I grabbed a book and sat down next to her. I flipped through the book for a few minutes and then placed it on the table. Then I got up and grabbed like ten more books, and brought them back. So I plop down with my pile of books next to HB, and spend the next 5-10 min flipping through each of them briefly. Finally I sigh emphatically and look over at the cover of whatever book she's reading, then simply ask "what are YOU reading?"

Allow me to explain briefly why this works. First off, you're there to read. You don't acknowledge the target, you immerse yourself in whatever your reading. Second, you LEAVE the book, which gives you a reason to come back. Third, you return with a STACK of books, which creates a story. And finally, dissatisfied with the fruits of your labors, you turn at long last to the target, pleading with her to rescue you from your boredom.

I've tried this with three different girls so far and never failed to get a response.

Note: you can vary the pace of this routine as much as you like. Also the literal STACK of books in front of you gives you an endless supply of subjects to discuss should small talk prove insufficient, and provides an excellent safety net.

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The truth is rarely pure, and never simple.