As I mentioned in the article, women are leery of being approached by a random stranger. We know that initial attraction is the only thing that prompted it and we must therefore have our guard up.

While you're wondering if she can communicate, if she's single, and if you have common interests, she's wondering whether you're a threat to her safety.

It is much better to establish at least SOME connection through a shared hobby, volunteer work, school, etc., and go from there. Even on dating apps you at least know a few pertinent things.

I have heard of almost no instances where a man approaching a stranger ends up going anywhere. It's far far too random, and too many unknown variables. Like you said, is she even single or looking to date? Physical attraction is not a good place to start from, especially if that's literally all you know about her. Not to mention a lot of women (like me) do not feel sexual attraction until after there's a connection. So any man approaching me in public is simply going to be shut down. Every time. Whether I'm single or not.