I don't use dating apps and I never will, but I want to find love someday and am almost ready to date again. I'm a late 20's F and I don't have a lot of opportunities to meet someone the ideal way, which for me is being friends, slowly getting to know each other, then becoming a couple. I feel like my only "chance" to meet someone is to try the cold approach.
My biggest fear about cold approaching a man is that maybe they will value me less for pursuing them. I know that's not necessarily true but I just feel like they won't be interested in a girl who would approach them for some reason. I also don't want them to get the wrong idea because I'm not into anything casual whatsoever.
I also can be really shy and awkward so I worry about coming across as creepy. So lets say I'm at the bookstore, music store, etc. and I see a guy who I think is cute. What should I do? Strike up a conversation and give them my number? Men, how would you prefer to be cold approached? Is there any tips or anything I should keep in mind?