This isn't really news; it's just exposure therapy, which is pretty well known. Habituation is everything in these domains. I do like the scavenger hunt though. That's a good icebreaker. The list is at the very end of the study by the way[1]. These seem pretty difficult for someone with social anxiety or poor smalltalking skills though.

Al Fresco Find someone outdoors, and [talk to/observe] them for a few minutes.
All Smiles Find someone who seems friendly and [talk to/observe] them for a few minutes.
Artsy Find someone who looks artistic and [talk to/observe] them for a few minutes.
Blue Mood Find someone who looks sad and [talk to/observe] them for a few minutes.
Bossy Pants Find someone who looks like a leader and [talk to/observe] them for a few minutes.
Caffeination Station Find a barista/server and [talk to/observe] them for a few minutes.
Coffee Break Find someone who's drinking a coffee and [talk to/observe] them for a few minutes.
Do Gooder Find someone who seems like a nice or kind person and [talk to/observe] them for a few minutes.
Fashionista Find someone who's accessorizing (e.g., wearing a scarf, hat…) and [talk to/observe] them for a few minutes.
Fun Fabric Find someone wearing stand-out print (e.g., stripes, animal-print) and [talk to/observe] them for a few minutes.
Graphic Tee Find someone who is wearing an interesting shirt and [talk to/observe] them for a few minutes.
Hot Find someone whom you find attractive and [talk to/observe] them for a few minutes.
Hungry Find someone who's eating and [talk to/observe] them for a few minutes.
Inked Up Find someone who has a tattoo and [talk to/observe] them for a few minutes.
Inside Find someone indoors and [talk to/observe] them for a few minutes.
Jock Find someone sporty and [talk to/observe] them for a few minutes.
Kickin’ It Find someone who is wearing interesting shoes and [talk to/observe] them for a few minutes.
Line Up Find someone who's waiting in a queue/line and [talk to/observe] them for a few minutes.
Manscape Find someone who has a beard/goatee/etc. and [talk to/observe] them for a few minutes.
Minion Find someone who is wearing a uniform and [talk to/observe] them for a few minutes.
Nailed It Find someone who has funky nails (e.g., unusual shade, fancy design) and [talk to/observe] them for a few minutes.
Next Gen Find someone who's from a different generation than you and [talk to/observe] them for a few minutes.
On Top Find someone who is wearing a hat and [talk to/observe] them for a few minutes.
Ray of Sunshine Find someone who looks happy and [talk to/observe] them for a few minutes.
Sexy Find someone whose gender differs from yours and [talk to/observe] them for a few minutes.
Skin Deep Find someone whose skin tone is different from yours and [talk to/observe] them for a few minutes.
Twins Find someone wearing the same thing as you (hair style, shirt, shoes, etc.) and [talk to/observe] them for a few minutes.
Unicorn Find someone who has eye-catching hair (e.g., pink tips), dyed hair, or a cool hair style and [talk to/observe] them for a few minutes.
Wild Card x 2 Find anyone of your choosing and [talk to/observe] them for a few minutes.

1. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S002210312...