Talking to girls on the street?

It really depends on your approach. If you say something like: "Hi, I'm Thomas" pay them a compliment based on something you like about them (not how attractive they are) and ask them whether they fancy getting a tea or coffee at some point this week.

The reason I said pay them a compliment is because it's a postive statement and a nice opener ir you use it correctly. Good things to compliment them on could be something they have clearly made an effort with, like if you notice that they have put together a really nice outfit that is something that obviously took a long time. If they have something like an instrument or portfolio with them you could mention that you noticed their portfolio and clearly they are a creative person which you think is cool so blah blah blah.

If you say something like "Hi, I'm Thomas, you're really pretty so I was wondering if..." that can come across a little odd to a lot of people as that implies you spoke to them 100% because of their looks, not because you thought they had a really cool look or found something interesting about them.

Won't work for all but might be much more effective than what it would be like if you were to come across as a creep who went out of his way to talk to a random girl on the street because her boobs looked good in that shirt...

As someone who has been approached by men in the street on various occassions, I highly recommend that unless you have some sort of awesome charisma, you do not do this. It is creepy, inappropriate and borderline stalkerish if you then proceed to harass and follow the girl.

A lot of girls including me would probably find it slightly intimidating, but that could be because of shyness.
It would be great if more people were open to speaking to others; sadly I live in London and it's rare to be approached by a stranger on the streets because it's "abnormal"

It depends on how attractive you are. If you're 8/10 or above then girls will be interested in starting a conversation. But if you're just average or below then the girl has no reason to be interested in a guy she doesn't know,she certainly already knows lots of average guys. Be honest with yourself and on your looks.

Nah, London is the worst for it and the men are ****ing weird. A man approached me on Sunday and said he was attracted to me because my coat reminded him of an investigator?? He then proceeded to block me from leaving and kept asking me to go out with him.

Don't live in London but if you don't stalk and you just ask confidently if you feel something after a short conversation/compliment, you get a yes you're happy you get a no you move on. I'm not weird and creepy.

Nah, London is the worst for it and the men are ****ing weird. A man approached me on Sunday and said he was attracted to me because my coat reminded him of an investigator?? He then proceeded to block me from leaving and kept asking me to go out with him.

I understand obviously and I'd say I'm average unfortunately to be honest and realistic. Obviously guys are more visual and focus on looks so I have no problem with girls doing, if I talk to a girl with a great personality I do find her more attractive though. But then again, I'm getting a degree in a great, high-paying field, I'm motivated, intelligent, confident with people I know well, I make people laugh every day so I compensate for you know, a lack of a defined jawline or a few inches on my height. If you're talking to a girl on the street and have like 30 seconds to make an impact I understand but we're just too shallow to see what's underneath people. Why should I not approach both really attractive girls and girls "on my level" because I wasn't born to look a certain way? Kinda went on a rant here about life, this is deep.

I don't want to encourage strangers to talk to me in the street and I sure as hell won't give out my phone number to a random man after a two minute conversation. It's different at a party, bar or club if you talk for a substantial portion of the night, but a two minute conversation in the street? I don't think so.

There's some weirdo's here and there, I know.
But I am generally talking about friendly people who just want a chat. I'm not really talking about those freakish people

but you want to approach girls you don't know based on how attractive they are. Then why should they be less shallow than you. We're all about the same guys and girls, attractive ones have no reason to settle for less than they know they can get. Saying a compliment in the street won't change how society is.

Ahh, yes. I've never had a normal person approach me. Only pervs who attempt to follow me home; tell me what they want to do with my arse; tell me what kind of sexual awakening I need because I'm "too much of a prude" etc.

I wouldn't always approach someone ridiculously attractive, just anyone that catches my eye. And you're not "settling" for less, someone less attractive maybe but if someone's interesting and makes you feel good and makes you laugh and you can have quality conversation with them even in a short space of time what's the problemmmmmmm