I am still not cold approaching as I would like, but I really see validity to both methods, direct and indirect. Just do what works for you. For me, I tend to feel more comfortable while out and about doing normal things like grocery shopping, clothes, book stores, gym, etc. I am also not in a city where there are ample women in areas out and about like New York and London.
I suppose I could go to a mall and do several cold approaches that way. Just not sure I am quite ready yet, hehe...
Like anything else in life, it takes practice!