"Strategic consumerism" is basically the idea of choosing where you shop (drink coffee, buy groceries, get your car fixed) based upon where you are most likely to mingle with the people you want to know, rather than according to personal taste.

This is most effective at "Third Places"–places where people naturally congregate. It isn’t enough to spend time there, though.  You must engage people there.  This is where it gets sticky for people.  We don’t naturally make friends in public places like that…though it is socially acceptable to do so.  Many people hang out in "Third Places" because they want to connect with a neighborhood and their neighbors.  These are the general rules of social interaction that I have "discerned:"

1. If you see someone at your favorite place a few times, you have permission to give them the "nod" of recognition (or subtle wave).
2. If you’ve recognized their presence a couple times, it is socially ok to say "hello."
3. Once you’ve said hello to someone once or twice, it is ok to make comments like "hey, it sure is nice today" or "is that book you’re reading interesting?" [if someone is deep into reading their book, it may be rude to interrupt them, but if they look up on occasion, it is probably ok to talk to them]. 
4. After you’ve broken the ice, you can introduce yourself.
5. Once you’re on a first-name basis.  You have social permission to have normal conversations with them…and things develop from there.

Here’s the thing: most of follow this sort of interaction in settings like school or at church, and it is perefectly normal there.  Just realize that it is ok to do those sort of things at third places too.  If you are a bolder person, you can skip steps.  It isn’t offensive to have polite chit-chat with strangers.  It is only rude if you do it when they are in the middle of something that requires attention.  Even then, most people won’t decide you are a butthole, they’ll probably just think your a ditz.  And that is better than not knowing them at all.

Recommended Reading about Third Places:

About Mark Van Steenwyk

Mark Van Steenwyk is a member of Missio Dei. He is a speaker, writer, educator, and grassroots organizer. With the support of the Central Plains Mennonite Conference, he travels to radical and intentional communities around the country to help network and offer support.