Well, I love to start with a "hi, how are you doing"
Polite, inquisitive, and direct, it instigates response but also signifies general friendliness.
I personally never start asking for a NAP because I often receive too many requests for NAPS, then I have no one to attack on a whim.
I make conversation about their Subterfuge history, their home country, first language, favourite specialist, sex jokes... Ultimately you tailor it to your audience.
If you connect, you make an alignment. If you at least are friendly, a NAP. If you find him/her annoying, rude, condescending, uncooperative, plain ol' stupid, or they ignore you, then you've found a target.
That's my opening-day strategy for figuring out who to do what with where.
Just be personable (just like real life), make jokes, and be nice. The way they respond dictates how horribly you massacre their kingdom later.
A wise guy's always right; even when he's wrong he's right
-Lefty, Donnie Brasco
400th Page TPBM