How I did it: I have social anxiety, and I want to challenge and overcome it.
I met up with a guy I had only talked to once months ago, which in itself was already daring in my opinion. Then we went into a store and I went up to 6 strangers, and the test was to say random things to them.
"What are you looking at"
"What are you shopping for"
"What are binoculars for"
"I like your scarf"
"What did you buy"
"Does this look like it will fit me?" (During this one, held up a baby sized sweater)

Lessons & tips: Bring a friend. It'll make the experience seem like a good time, you can laugh about the reactions with somebody.
Just do it. People are honestly way more afraid of you than you are of them, even if you just say hi.  Their reactions are all similar, they stare at you with their eyes popping out of their head and then they say something, or they just stare. It may sound difficult, but it wasn't after 2 of them. The stares are really nothing, and they only last for an instant. Sometimes the people actually come around and you can make a friend.
You have nothing to lose, especially when there are billions of other people in the world.
That was a revelation indeed.

Resources: Friend who pushed me into it. This is a big one

Dec 26, 2010, 07:12AM PST | 2 comments | 8 cheers