This is my basic outline for a conversation vs a stranger on a non pickup basis. I can bring it into pickup though. But mostly I don't want to or don't have the time.

#1 Greeting

A basic: Hi or Hello, how are you? should suffice.

#2 Small question.

For example: Do you know what time it is?

#3 Longer question

For example:
Oh, I also need to get to XXX-street, do you happen to know where I can find that?

This greeting + 2 questions builds a small bit of rapport with the person you are talking with, That is if they arn't evaded. If they are evaded that person is most likely in a bad mood or in a hurry,so say goodbye and be on your way.

However in the very likely situation that they are awnserd (roughly 90-95% of the time) You could throw in a generic comment like #4 here

#4 Generic comment.

For example: By the way I love your Tie, Which store sells those? Or The weather is great, isn't it?

Because of the 2 questions up front you should have enough rapport to do some friendly conversation. You could even try some things pickup related.
like: by the way, I LOVE your shirt, you don't see many girls wearing those!

#5 from here on you could go into some routines or just use what you hear and see to keep the conversation going.


Copywrite - 3 Hands, (I'll hunt you down and do horrible horrible things to you if you copy this w/o my permission! Like grow long nails and scratch them over a blackboard while your tied down to a chair, ALL NIGHT LONG!)

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that all sounds a bit generic, I wouldn't worry about anyone 'copying' it

You win, 3 hands. "Hello," "How are you," "Hey," and asking directions to a stranger are yours and yours alone. That stuffs gold, baby!

You both have completely missed the point of this post

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Let's make it 3 who missed the point.. What's the point of this ?!