Here just walking up and talking to a complete stranger is called "cold approaching" and that is considered rude and creepy UNLESS you're handsome and charismatic. Usually. I'm in the midwest and people can be friendly if there's some opening like a cash register already interacting with you. I'm guessing more socially inclined people have it easier, whereas if someone were to just start talking to me out of the blue my firs thought would be "what the fuck does this person want from me?"