Personally, I recommend you approach her when she is alone, but in a public place (the hallway, the cafeteria, etc), so you have a moment without an audience, but the conversation doesn't feel too intimate or intimidating. The reason I suggest you avoid talking to her in front of her friends is that a) how comfortable will you really feel in front of a panel of judges? and b) she may not be totally honest with you or feel completely open when she's being watched either. This isn't about her friends, so grab a quick second with her when they aren't directly listening.

If she is constantly with her friends, try asking if you could talk to her alone for a second. They'll probably all know what the conversation is about, but you still get a minute away.

Keep your conversation light and casual.

Good luck!
Permalink | Report

You should do it when she is in a heavily populated area or in a group so that she catches the mood of the other people.(It's best if it is a happy group or area!)
Permalink | Report

Ok I know you are asking for a woman's side but If it helps, this is a guys side. Asking a woman out when she is with friends makes you look very confident. Woman like a man with confidence. But asking a woman out in front of her friends is sometimes hard to do because we are afraid of being rejected, and its even harder to be rejected in front of her friends.
Source(s):
Personal experience from a 28 year odl male

Permalink | Report

Always approach the woman when she is away from her friends. The reason is whatever you are going to say will be between you and her. She will not be influenced by her friends opinions or teasing. It will also save face for you if she must reject an option you have offered.
Permalink | Report

If you approach the girl in front of her friends, and she is embarrassed or worried about what her friends might say before she has a chance to think about how she feels, etc, then she might not respond to you the way she really feels, but instead try to front for her friends.

If you approach her while she's alone in a private setting, it might be uncomfortable for her while she's alone and feel a little 'stalkerish'.

If it were me, I'd smile at her first, maybe say hello a few times with a nod of the head and a smile. After that, if you see her at the lockers, cafeteria, outside or in the parking lot by a car or something, you might ask her a question or something - is she in any of your classes? Maybe you can ask her a question about an assignment or make a joke about a teacher or something.

Once you've broken the ice with a few eye contacts, a smile, a joke or question, talking to her in front of her friends or alone will be a lot more comfortable for both of you, and she'll be more likely to be herself.

As an ex-girl/now-woman, I would much prefer to be approached in public, but not in front of my friends.

Good luck making a connection with her! Remember, be yourself... if she doesn't like 'you' then you can and will find someone else who does and deserves you!
Permalink | Report

Bes to do it when she's alone, most people act different when near friends
Permalink | Report