So I am just starting to attempt to cold approach women I don't know, as per the challenges offered by pretty much every novice guide out there. Basically, I am trying to get over AA to a degree and become comfortable cold approaching women. I can get past the AA sometimes, but I usually have nothing to say. Are there any more innocuous openers out there? Just ways to start conversations without trying for anything further? Maybe I am just being a wimp, and I need to just get out there and say "Hey, hows it going" to random women in the mall or the coffee shop, but it always seems like I am being strange butting in or interrupting. I guess I am wondering, is there a method there, perhaps a better place to practice? Or am I more in need of a healthy dose of man the fuck up and talk to her.

you need a healthy does of " man the fuck up"

just the way society is, NO ONE will be 100% percent receptive to you opening them, there'll always be a least a tiny bit of "hmm, why is he talking to me". but... the thing is, that's not really too big a deal, dont make it something bigger than it is. A little bit into the conversation, if you have game itll turn from that into "hmm, this guy, I like talking to him for some reason, ill see him again".

Check out Sasha's daygame videos on youtube, it'll give you a general idea.

Something like "Hey I was sitting over there reading the newspaper and thought you looked pretty cute and I had to come talk to you". Nothing too fancy, just a direct approach. As previous post, sometimes you'll get the get away from me creep look, don't worry too much about it and open the next cute girl you see.

Cheers!