If you do an "embarassing" approach like this 100 times it will eventually stop being so embarassing, you will be more relaxed and natural in your maneuvers and you will sub-communicate a much better vibe.
If you are uncomfortable, she will be uncomfortable. You set the vibe of the ineraction.
As you are now, can you help being uncomfortable and quirky? Probably no. What can you do to stop being uncomfortable and quirky? Exactly what you are doing: exposing yourself to situations that put you on your edge, on your limit, in touch with those nasty feelings.
You are doing it right! Don't blame yourself on it, and don't spend so much time going through it.
You only gotta keep doing it over and over. Eventually, it will become second nature to you, and your interactions (not all!!!) will have a much natural and spontaneous flow, proportionally to you being more relaxed and confident on your moves.
Till then, get this: a good portion of your interactions will be embarassing, quirky, maybe even downright ridiculous. Even after you get quite good at this, if you are still pushing your boundaries, there is no way to avoid "embarassing" moments, but you will be very comfortable with dealing with such moments and instead of spending time overthinking like you are doing now, you'll be busier approaching other girls and carring on with life.
There is nothing "unusual" with your situation, it is part of the whole process.
On the direct/indirect debate: what is more important is not the actual "words" you use, but the vibe you set, and the right vibe is only mastered with time. Chill.
EDIT: I'm just curious on which gym was this. You're in Rio, right?
If you are uncomfortable, she will be uncomfortable. You set the vibe of the ineraction.
As you are now, can you help being uncomfortable and quirky? Probably no. What can you do to stop being uncomfortable and quirky? Exactly what you are doing: exposing yourself to situations that put you on your edge, on your limit, in touch with those nasty feelings.
You are doing it right! Don't blame yourself on it, and don't spend so much time going through it.
You only gotta keep doing it over and over. Eventually, it will become second nature to you, and your interactions (not all!!!) will have a much natural and spontaneous flow, proportionally to you being more relaxed and confident on your moves.
Till then, get this: a good portion of your interactions will be embarassing, quirky, maybe even downright ridiculous. Even after you get quite good at this, if you are still pushing your boundaries, there is no way to avoid "embarassing" moments, but you will be very comfortable with dealing with such moments and instead of spending time overthinking like you are doing now, you'll be busier approaching other girls and carring on with life.
There is nothing "unusual" with your situation, it is part of the whole process.
On the direct/indirect debate: what is more important is not the actual "words" you use, but the vibe you set, and the right vibe is only mastered with time. Chill.
EDIT: I'm just curious on which gym was this. You're in Rio, right?