Opener 1: The Observation

Say something you genuinely notice right now. Specific observations create shared context and prove you are paying attention; generic weather comments die quickly.

One warning with observations: keep them about the world, not the person. "This coffee is unreal" is a gift — it gives them something to react to. "You look great in that jacket" is a spotlight, and it can feel like pressure from a stranger. Aim your comment at the thing you both see, and let them step into the conversation on their own terms.