SJS, I thought it was the other way around on Tu B’Av.
As to approaching girls directly – we are not talking about picking them up in bars, for goodness sakes! There are many venues through which girls and boys could meet each other in a protected and halachically acceptable environment. They can talk to each other, get to know each other a bit, and then decided if they are interested in going out together, which would happen by the boy (horrors!) asking for the girl’s phone number, getting it, and calling her up. yes, yes, no, no.If one is uncomfortable with doing that, then an alternative approach must be used, but it is not fair to think that doing it that way or getting a number from a friend and calling the girl, indicates an improper upbringing. Rather it indicates that a young man has been brought up to be an independent and pro-active individual, which is a good thing, IMO.