So with regard to the game store thing. You do kinda have to insert yourself into conversations. Or just come out and say you're trying to make friends when talking to someone. It doesn't always work, but it will eventually. People naturally tend to talk to people they already know most of the time. There's some stonewallers out there, but most people will open up once it's apparent that it's like, ok, to be talking to you and you want to be talked to.