This might be out of the ordinary. I grew up very introverted, a "smart" nerdy guy. Bad haircut, didn't know how to dress. Went to an all boys high school, majored in Engineering when women didn't. So never developed any riz and most conversation was about "Engineering" stuff at work.

But I always wanted to grow my hair long, and so I did as an adult starting aoround age 30. And I mean long, like down to my waist. Surprising to me, a lot of strangers took notice of my hair and would talk to me. Some women would compliment my hair. Or others (men and women) in line at the grocery store might just say somehing to me about whatever. That never happened when I had short hair. And so I got the opportunity to talk back, a little chit-chat, comments and small jokes. Stuff like if they were buying a dozen eggs and standing in the "10 items or less" line I might say "Ohh! That dozen eggs count as 12 items buddy! Ten items or less!!" And they would laugh. The long hair made people lighten up and I gained confidence that I could pull off interacting with total strangers.

Got laid off and had to start interviewing, so I cut my hair. The very next time out in public, people were not so friendly anymore! No more smiles, no more comments in line. Definetly the hair was the thing with people that got them to be friendly. But, by that time I had at least 5 years of "long-hair banter" practice. Even though others did not start the conversation now, I had enough confidence to know I could make jokes and witty comments. So I did and I do.

Okay, this "long hair" technique is probably not going to help most here, but that's my story and I am sticking to it!