How to make my approach better

[BoomToTheMoonAlice]

Street pickup: No matter what you do, you will almost always look like Dan Cilley.

 

[characternote]

If you're her type, you can say pretty much anything and it's ON.

yep.
And likewise, if you're not her type (you're too fat/bald/old etc for her to find you hot) then all of the 'game' in the world will be for nought lol
It's always been a numbers game

 

[BackInTheGame78]

Just seems really weird on be doing this in a busy place.

IMO, I would focus on low key places where people are stopped naturally...book stores, grocery stores, clothing stores, coffee shops etc...

Just out in the open while walking makes it weird and uncomfortable and a good chance she is in a hurry to get somewhere.

 

[AmsterdamAssassin]

Just out in the open while walking makes it weird and uncomfortable and a good chance she is in a hurry to get somewhere.

Not just that, it's like you're selling newspaper subscriptions or religious booklets.
Definitely doesn't work well to stop someone, but I often have people stop near/next to me and just engaging me in conversation.

I wouldn't stop a person to chat them up. The most I've done in that aspect was stop walking and noticeably and appreciatively study a woman walking towards me. She noticed me sizing her up and then stopped near me like 'what?', and I smiled and told her I had admired her poise. She liked my compliment and we dated briefly, but I doubt if my remark would've made the same impression if I had followed her and stopped her and then told her how much I admired her poise. Probably would've resulted in a rejection for being weird.