.... I think you cover your bases pretty well,
Bigfish. Soft approach ... being respectful ... etc. Its not being respectful when you know they are a married couple, that you don't know, and you go around the husband to meet the wife ... that's devious.
And the compliment, that's good as well, done softly. I can give you one suggestion that's worked for me when I've wanted to meet someone. Walk up to them, as if you know one of them (the wife in this case) and simply start talking to her. They'll obviously correct you as to the mistaken identity you've made, BUT, that's when out pull out your 'embarrassment routine' and start apologizing. This breaks the ice to see how receptive they are to you, and opens the door for that compliment of the wife you want to make to the husband ... see where that takes you.
.... Even if you haven't established flirtation or eye contact, you can still meet the couple....you could also accidently back into their cart while shopping, turn around to apologize, then start that scenario. I promise you, most no one would be offended, and then you could lay some of that "cool jive" you reserve for these special moments. I can perceive this working 10-15% in establishing a new 'friendship' and that's all you want at this point, right?
View attachment 2477325