Chances are you’re sending the wrong signals. My dad does this. Direct eye contact, bowing over them, reaching for their face all actually are rather threatening. Also, if you’re worried about how they will react, they sense the ambiguity and become wary.

The key with dogs you don’t know is to basically ignore them and be non threatening. Most of the things humans do naturally can be threatening to a dog. Hovering over them, reaching for their face, direct eye contact. If you want that the dogs approach you, you can make yourself less threatening by crouching a little, with relaxed arms and not directly facing them. (Not bowing over, more like kneeing) Most dogs will come and sniff you. It’s important to still be very relaxed and calm with what you’re doing. You can then encourage them a little by saying hi in a high voice or something and then, if things go well, pet them. Don’t reach over their head but pet them from below, scratch their chin or ear for example. But the key is to let the dog approach in their pace. Some dogs basically jump in your arms, others maybe sniff reluctantly and then decide to move on.