I guess it depends on the situation and locale but in general I say if cheesy is in order then go for it. It makes you memorable

hmm, yes, that can be a tough one. I find that "Hi my name is Ingo", usually works pretty well in most situations. Of course, you might have to replace the "ingo" with something different, I suggest your first name. ;-) I guess sometimes we like to over intellectualize things.

If directed at me, I prefer the "Hi my name..." over "Hi what's your name", since it doesn't put me on the spot to divulge too much information, before I assess the situation. I.e. I can just respond with, "Hi, nice to meet you, xxx", but that's just personal preference.

HiDi Ho Neighborlee!!! lol

I like brushing my hand across the guys ass, as he turns around I keep walking. He'll catch to me eventually....

Ok seriously, "Hi, my name is..." really the best opener.

I usually just ask "What's your name Darlin'?" Maybe it's that I'm red haired and Irish but I always get an answer and rarely go home alone.

how about "Hi, how are you?" followed by totally normal conversation without any particular eye contact or any particular plan or any particular anything at all.

But to answer your question Nick I would say "What's your name" is not too boring but I would prefer "Hi, I'm Nick, what's your name?"

I don't like the all dance / strategy. It is not as if people don't know what is going on.
I can't stand the all "I am going to pretend that I am not curious about you, and you are going to pretend etc etc etc" To me THAT's too boring.

I suppose I'll let you know once I actually break some ice. :-)

"Hi, I'm....... Nice to meet you."

A sincere compliment to a person is the best way to start off right. Makes them feel good and then you feel good too, even if it doesn't go any further than :
you: "That is a nice (scarf, nailpolish color, hair color, tattoo)"
them: "Thanks!"

But usually people are open to talk about where they got the item, or what it means to them, and then you have a conversation. :)

from watching a friend who is so socially successful, in the most easy-going way that it's otherworldly, the most successful thing is what would seem to be the most banal or lame:

"hi, I'm [name here]" or "I don't think we've met. I'm [name here]"

"are you having a good time tonight?" or "you look like you're having a good time"
or whatever is suitable along those lines like "did you enjoy the show?", "did you have a good workout?"

simple and easy works best. what seems like it would be boring is actually the best route. people don't want to feel put on the spot or like there's a big production. :) and they don't spend their day judging how creative people are with introductions, nor do they wish to be the victim of some kind of Most Creative/Interesting Hello Line.

They just want something friendly and positive, they're not looking to work at it or enter a contest. Nothing intense. No compliments to people you want to jump unless you're really really good at it because often it comes across as creepy. or at best insincere and struggling. however, I've found that complimenting someone in a non-dating-like capcity can work:

"wow, great costume" or "I love that handbag" Of course that kind of thing tends to work best with women. :)

you wanna have sex?
with whom?


(haven't tried it yet, it's just in theory for now, but it must break the ice in some direction.)

Honestly, I've not had to be the 'ice breaker'. I've been the 'breakee'. So I responded, versus initiate. I always tend to go out with friends, or with people I know, and I stick with them or respond to people approaching me. Just been the way it's gone, and I think it's pretty common for women.

And since I go out a lot, to different kinds of events, and I am out at public venues a lot, I have some recent experience with this.

One guy last week asked me if I were single. He didn't say it that way. It was embarrassing. He said, "So tell me, is a gorgeous woman like you actually here alone, or are you waiting for someone? Are you already spoken for?" To which I responded, I'm waiting for a friend, and yes I am. But thanks. You're attractive, too. He laughed and said, well you can't blame me for trying. And I said of course not, and I'm taken, not blind! He laughed and that was that. I talked to him a couple more times, but he was respectful.

I also get the, what are you drinking? Can I buy you another? or (if I notice them looking)... Sorry, I didn't mean to stare... I figured I better introduce myself or you'll think I'm a wierdo. LOL

or, Hi, I'm Jim. What's your name? or.... So, how do you know the band? Is one of them a friend of yours? (usually they all are LOL)

Common ground conversation starters. I won't repeat the very worst 'line' I ever got. It was so profoundly bad I just can't say it. LOL

I think the most offensive one was some asshole at a metal battle of the bands. I was sitting next to a woman who obviously knew this guy... And the guy took one look at me, called his buddy over, and pointed me out. Then he stuck his hand all the way down the back of my jeans (when I was looking away) in a lightening flash, squeezed, and loudly exclaimed, Dude she's got a killer ass! I was LIVID! Fortunately my guy, who was a big rocker type, was right around the corner running sound for the event, and he saw it. Those two never came back. Plus, I am close friends with the bouncer. That creep is lucky I didn't rip his arm off with my teeth. As it was, I slapped him and he got an elbow in his ribs. And my ex boyfriend scared them off. Unreal. Talk about lowest common denominator mentality...

My current boyfriend just introduced himself, at Howl, when I was standing and waiting for some friends, outside. He walked up and said hi, how are you? And told me his name. Then he said he was going to go get a drink, would I let him buy me one, too? And off we went. We've been together ever since....

I think if I were to start a conversation, or be the ice breaker, I'd ask a question. Like at a band gig, So what do you think? Do you like this band so far?

or at an art walk, What's your favorite gallery, so far? What kind of art do you like?

I've always found it easier to get people to think about themselves and share something, versus just say hello and expect them to cough up something to talk about. When my son was a little guy, and quiet after school, I got him to talk by asking him, "So Dust, tell me your favorite part of today, if you have to pick just one thing." It almost always worked.

Hey Nick,

I'm new to this website and this tribe so this is the perfect post to start with....

I like to keep it simple when meeting someone new...."Hi, my name is Sheila....nice to meet u" but I think more importantly or equally as important is your energy and your body language. Can't beat a firm handshake, a sincere smile.... lean forward....and since it's nice to to be reminded that chivalry is not dead, I like to see a guy stand up (if he's sitting).

Just remember to have good manners and if u want to take the conversation further then you're off to a great start!

On that note...

Hi guys! I'm Sheila. =) Big thanks and a shout out to "T@ll Guy" for thinking I might enjoy this tribe and sending me an invite.

Bright smile, and usually a compliment or comment on what made me notice the person in the first place: "Hi! I really like your tutu!" If the conversation continues beyond the pleasantries, I'll offer my hand and say, "I'm Kisså, nice to meet you!". If I'm being introduced to a new person by a mutual friend though, hugs (and sometimes kisses) get dispensed!

My favorite is one that I never have used, but I have heard it used on occasion...
Nice shoes, wanna fuck? I thought that was just so lame and cheesy!
I tend to just walk up to the people that I want to get to know and say "Hi, I'm bored...are you?"

If your at a ballgame, talk about the game. If your at the grocery store, ask advise on something that is in their cart you have never tried. If you are hiking, ask about what trail is best. If you are commuting, smile and have eye contact. (nobody ever does that. You will be sure and get noticed) In other words, it all depends on where you are at the time, and something relative to where you are will pop into your head.

I like to say something different, off the wall. last one I used was "does your husband know that his wife is un-happily married", hey it worked.....

I have a set of "Billybob teeth" that I sometimes use for a first impression. www.billybobteeth.com They are really goofy looking and I'll usually get a reaction if not truly repulse people away. The funny thing is when people realize that I'm just goofing off and my sudo name probably isn't Hubert or eggburt or Eugene, the ice is usually cracked wide open,

the art of the segue is a fine one but, i really enjoy a nice *lemme rip your heart out, eat it, assimilate some, and regurgitate the majority back to you in a kiss.

disclaimer: i do not fully subscribe to this, possibly perceived as gruesome, approach. the question just asked me for it. i'm really, most of the time, to afraid to do what you brave people seem to whip off in a cinch. thanks for the great ideas. just use mine like ReferencE for a book you can actually take out!