Search Results: approaching a guy or girl

So, let's say there's a girl a guy is interested in, and he first wants to find out if she's single, before shooting his shot. Would it be weird to too straight forward if he started to make conversation/small talk, and said something along the lines of "so, how's life, how's the romance going, you seeing anyone?", said in a rather light and playful manner.

I feel like this is a "safer" approach of trying to ask out someone, because if you immediately go in for the kill, the stone cold rejection will just hurt more than it should, and perhaps the girl will also appreciate it if you feel her out first and give her a chance the dismiss the (potential) advances without putting her on the spot.

I have approach/rejection anxiety, so I'm trying to find a strategy that'll work for me, as pathetic as that may sound ;DDD

So a new 'nice and quiet girl' joined my gym and we got to talking (she approached me).. one day she told me she liked me a lot and was jealous when I spoke to other women. I'm quite popular at my gym and talk to almost everyone.

Currently I'm going through some studies so haven't got time to date but told her as soon as my exams are over and I get a better job, I'll be more in the position to.

Since then I've been really observing her and she only ever talks to men. She even initiates conversations. You can tell she has a more relaxness around males. She never talks to other women. Usually gives them evils. She doesn't try to make friends.. and in conversation bitches about female customers at work etc. Never a good thing to say about women.

Would you date or pass?