Quote:
I think that those functional openers you mentioned are really hard to transition off of into conversation. You're taking a low risk-low reward approach. If you're stuck in a situation where you need a functional opener, and then find yourself with nowhere to go, then I would try following this with a second opener, maybe an opinion opener.
In the case of the girl reading the paper, I can't image why you got stuck here: she was reading a f'ing newspaper.
Does the train stop XXX?
whatever she says
So, do you see anything interesting in the news today?
Just make sure you avoid getting into controversial areas and you're off and talking.
Also, try and put out a relavant interesting story related to her answers of the 1 or 2 "indirect" questions you approach her with. You want to be the interesting entertainer; the guy that captivates her and make her associate the feeling of captivation with you as a person