How to become comfortable taking photos of strangers (street photography)? To ask or not to ask?

Hello, I love street work but so far I've been pretty limited to 'architectural' type stuff and only ocassionally grabbing an interesting portrait.Anytime I do take portraits it just tends to be of the people I'm with which gets a little repetitive.How do you guys get photos of strangers and get away with it? It just feels so awkward and I don't know how to overcome it.I guess I just feel like I would be creeped out if someone asked to take a photo of me so it's hard to switch places.I have tried asking people but have a pretty shit ratio - 1 of about 4 have said yes.Does anyone have some insight? via /r/photography http://ift.tt/2g6NSwv