So some dude just walks upt o this girl....?

I was at the library and I overheard something going on. A guy just walked up to this girl and says (and I'm paraphrasing) "Excuse me, I saw and wanted to know what was your name?" After she gave him her name (and so readily, I might add) he complimented her freckles saying they were cute and left..So the question I guess you could say is it really that quick and easy to get a conversation started with a girl and get her name? Especially one you've never met before?.... obviously, as you might tell, I have no luck with women, so this little episode fascinated me.