People are affraid of each other. You only need to take a look at all those people standing around the perimeter of a nightclub dance floor waiting for something to happen in order to see that this is true. This is also the reason people take books to read to the laundromat, why people don't often go to cafes alone, and why people don't pay attention to what's in other people's shopping carts. If you want dates, you must get over this fear.
Once a potential date is found (see Meeting Your Date), you need to let them know that they are a potential date. This is most easily done by making eye contact, although all out staring is not recomended. A big smile helps too. But if you just look and smile without saying anythng, your potential date will just think you are silly. Even if you are silly, you don't want them to think that so you must speak. There are myriad choices for opening lines, each having it's own degree of success. None of them are successful one hundred percent of the time. The idea is to just start a conversation, then steer that toward asking for a date.
This is easier than you might think. A few all purpose lines:
AT THE NIGHTCLUB:
"Hi" (said with eye contact and smile)
"What is that you're drinking?" (Only don't say it with too much disgust)
"That's a cool looking shirt. What is it? Poplin?" (used on the overdressed)
"Mind if I stand next to you?" (a little geeky but effective, forces answer)AT THE LAUNDROMAT:
"Hi" (said with eye contact and smile)
"What're you reading?" (make sure you know the answer and can discuss it)
"That's a cool looking shirt. What is it? Poplin?" (at the folding area)
"Mind if I fold here?" (then say the line above)
AT THE GROCERY STORE:
"Hi" (eye contact, big smile)
"Does this cantaloupe smell ripe to you?" (thrust cantaloupe forward, smile)
"That's a cool looking fruit. What is it? Pomegranate? (substitute any fruit)
"Mind if I park my cart here?" (leave just enough room to brush by them)
AT THE CAFE/COFFEEHOUSE:
"Hi" (eye contact, big smile)
"What're you drinking?" (said with curiosity, not disgust)
"That's a cool looking shirt. What is it? Poplin?" (for overdressers)
"Mind if I sit here?" (sit down first)
Whatever you choose to say in that opening sequence, there must come a time for introductions. Simply extend your hand and say "I'm ________." This forces them to shake your hand, and they'll feel compelled to introduce themself. Once this is done, you must ask for a date. You can begin by asking if they are single. Or you can be adventurous and skip this step. They may be married, but marriages are easily started and ended these days and have little affect on the ability to date. Now you say "you should go out with me." This line is effective because it forces the potential date to wonder why they should. It also gives you the opportunity to convince them. Having reasons handy for the occassion is a must, however. Reasons can be anything you like, from "because it would be fun," to "because I think you're cute." You'll have to decide the reasons beforehand. Do not ask them what they like to do, where they might like to go, or when they might be able to do it. These things are your decision because you asked for the date--you will entertain them. Besides, one of the dangers of dating is that your date may actually fall in love with you. Letting them call the shots from the beginning only serves to increase the chance of that happening.
At this point you can get a phone number and call them later to set up the details, or you can set up details now. The latter choice is best because of the chance of them giving you an erroneous phone number. That is perfectly acceptable for you to do if they were asking you for a date, but is unnacceptable when you're doing the asking. Do not give them the opportunity.