Aliasalpha: Sure if you have social skills, find something to talk about and find someone without ipod headphones in their ears
I am pretty introverted, not generally the best looking guy in the room, and I don't have any trouble with it. In my early to mid 20s I used to go out a lot and meet women in bars and clubs. It isn't hard, but it can get a little mind numbing. The conversations all start to be the same, and if you are after mental, as opposed to just physical, stimulus, you might be disappointed.
Nowadays, I prefer to go to museums, art shows, or bookstores if I want to meet new folks (of either sex). At least there, I know they probably shares some of my interests, and anything that involves art generally has a better girl/guy ratio than any bar (at least if you like girls).
How much social skill does it take to say to a girl at a bookstore: "Hey, about that book you are looking, at, what have you heard about it? I have been thinking of reading it." No matter what her response, you can easily start a conversations about what books she likes. The secret is to get the girl talking, after that it hardly matters what it is about; just as long as you seem interested.
Not saying that it will lead anywhere, it probably won't, but it seems much better than paying someone to talk to you. Maybe it is fear of rejection? If all someone wants is a conversation, I think the likelihood of rejection is small. Now, if you want to take her home with you, well, THAT might lead to disappointment a fair percentage of the time :P.