Few things are more nerve-wracking than breaking the ice with someone you just met”or want to meet. It can happen anywhere: at a cocktail party, bookshop, bar or even a fast food joint. If you think you could have a connection, here are five ways to make your move:
Smile and make eye contact. Hello, body language. You can start a conversation without saying a word. A friendly smile and direct glance conveys confidence and shows him that you’d welcome his approach.
Talk about something that’s going on right now. Can I borrow your ketchup? That’s how Jennifer Garner chatted up a cute guy at the bar in 13 Going on 30. (Okay, so he was half her age”that’s not the point.) Even if the subject at hand isn’t that sexy (think detergent at the Laundromat or the price of gas at the pump), sparks can still fly. If you’re at a sports bar, kick start some small talk about hockey or baseball, depending on who’s playing on the flatscreens. Talking about where you are or what’s happening around you is a great way to chat him up.
Be generous with compliments. Love the shirt he’s wearing, the book he’s reading or the sound of his laugh? Let him know. Then keep the conversation going”if you like his taste in reading material, for example, ask him more abut the author or if he could recommend a similar title. A sincere compliment and genuine interest is sure to make him pause and open up to you.
Turn the spotlight on him. Let’s face it: we all love talking about ourselves. So why not give him another nudge to help you get to know him better. Don’t ask him if he likes coffee”ask him what kind of coffee he likes and why. If you meet him at the dog park, ask him about his pup and how easy the breed is to care for. Questions that let him go beyond yes or no answers will keep the conversation flowing.
Be direct. You can always try to be clever and blurt out a pickup line. Or, you can just be straightforward and after a bit of chit-chat, just introduce yourself. Feeling a bit bolder? Offer to buy him a coffee or drink. And if you get that far”the rest is up to you!
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