Marie Claire dating blogger Maura Kelly gets some great, fun advice from dating coach John Keegan about how to make the most of the abundant flirtatious opportunities that will surround you for the next week.
The great thing about December, according to John, “You know exactly where all the people are going to be–out shopping!” He has three tips for initiating the conversation.
1. ASK AN OPINION
In the men’s department, position yourself fairly close to the dude you’ve been eyeing. Then pick up two items—two shirts, or scarves, or bow ties—in different colors, and ask your unsuspecting target what color he likes best. After he responds—“the green, definitely”—keep the banter going by telling him you’re trying to choose a gift for your brother or for your cousin. Then say: “Think he’ll like the green?”
2. ASK TO MEASURE AN ARTICLE OF CLOTHING AGAINST HIM
Pick up a man’s shirt or sweater and approach your man. After explaining to the stranger in question that he’s about the same size as your brother or cousin, ask if you can hold the top up to him so you can get a sense for how it might fit. As you hold it to his shoulders, look him up and down before making eye contact—and telling him the shirt looks great.
If that feels way too bold ask instead if he would mind holding the hoodie (or whatever it is) up against himself, or even putting it on.
3. ASK IF HE CAN RECOMMEND SOME BOOKS, ALBUMS OR MOVIES
For those of us who are a little less daring, John suggests inviting the man in your cross-hairs to give his cultural opinion. In a book store, it would be completely natural to say something like “What’s a good new work of literary fiction that I can buy for my father?” Or, if you’re stirred up by a hunk who’s hovering in the poetry department, go over and say, “My favorite blogger thinks a modern poet named Jack Gilbert is very cool. But I don’t know much about him. Do you?”
..AND ALWAYS HAVE AN EXIT STRATEGY
Before you even START talking to the guy, have a plan about when and how about how to end the conversation–that will make you feel like you’re in charge. After a few minutes, tell him you’ve got to rush home to make gingerbread men, but it was so nice talking to him that you’d like to do it again. There’s his chance to get your digits. But if he doesn’t do so after a beat–perhaps because he’s clueless, or nervous, or just not moving quickly enough–ask if he’s on Facebook, by any chance … or simply request his email address.
Then you’re out!
Okay?
If any of you brave souls try this over the weekend, please let us know how the experiment works out.
For more on love, sex and the single girl, read Maura’s blog, A Year of Living Flirtatiously.