I am not proficient at this but I have done it some time now. I am a newbi just so you know.
I am almost in the same boat. Most of my friends are either broke or what not. I always approach a group of people as a group. I don't try to single out a girl right away. I basically say "hi can I sit down here" or something like that. make fun of something I see.. talk about whatever they talk want to talk about.. make sure they talk more then me.. Just make sure you have fun and that you feel/act like you have known them your entire life.
It is kind of a parade of your personality. Everybody is a superstar in their own life
You can also tell quite fast if the girls like you or not. I usually leave them alone if they really don't like me and they are with a big group of friends(I don't know what I am doing lol)
sometimes when I see a girl that is bored I walk up to her and say something like. Hey it's illegal to be bored at the pub etc.. She will most likely be happy that somebody wants to talk to her..
First time you approach a group can be hard but this part is easy when you have done it a couple of times.
so.. that's how I do it.. have fun.. never bite anyone.. some of the guys might try to bite you of if they feel threaten .. don't worry about it. I usually pretend like I didn't hear it when that happens or brush it of with a joke.. Never ever ever ever get angry about anything. angry=game over.
dunno what more to say.. alot of the stuff I have said here is probably wrong according to theory.. I started doing this a month or two back. I used to be a gamer geek before. Had a girlfriend for 5 years.. she dumped me about 2 months ago. now she is trying to get back together with me but I don't want.
I guess you just have to crash a couple of times. just don't get angry or take anything personal and you will be alright. good luck
