Chatting up strangers ?

Darn it...*sigh* My deepest apologies for double posting.

I've tried this approach a few times, mostly when I go for lunch break to a fast food place or restaurant. Before initiating conversation in Mandarin with the staff, I will first listen to them talking to ensure that they are indeed Mandarin speakers. If they are, I start with simple phrases that I have reviewed and have a level of confidence with in terms of tones and pronunciation. I also rehearse their expected questions and how I would respond. I've always received a very positive response. It certainly does give you a great opportunity to practice and meet new friends. Good luck.

I usually only try out my Chinese if I'm in a Chinese establishment. However, paulc's advice is good; make sure they're speaking Mandarin. I've had some negative reactions from Cantonese/Toisan (??) speakers in San Francisco.

It's all about your attitude. Don't look like you are gonna care about a negative reaction or accept it - and you won't get one. Better still: bring VALUE and positive energy to people and they will most likely respond in kind. Conversation-opening strategies are exactly the same in Mandarin as they would be in your mother tongue: i.e., any phrase will do, no matter how random. For many reasons I personally prefer not to open my mouth to speak a foreign language unless I can actually stick to this language throughout the interaction. But if someone's goal is to practise just a few stock phrases, once again, why should they care that their interlocutors might hear this stuff from foreigners all day long?