There are more playful techniques too depending on the environment.
For example, one rule is that you never approach a woman from behind. Always establish yourself at least in her peripheral.
And if at a restaurant with a bar or a woman sitting always pay attention to body language. If she’s canted with her body facing outward watching the crowd give your self about a minute or two to determine if she’s with someone. Remember, play “cat and mouse”. Don’t leave her thinking you’re there looking for a lady. Talk to the bar tender, people sitting near by, etc. Always be there for another reason, something you can talk about, like celebrating a promotion at work etc.
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The body language of being canted out from the bar indicates that she’s open, looking either for someone in the crowd or is open and waiting to be talked to. See if you can get her listening or commenting on some conversational exchange with the bar tender or other patrons. Then proceed to look for a table with two chairs as described in the previous senario.
If she’s facing away from the crowd that can be trickier; if you walk up behind her and start talking you could startle her. If you stand over her shoulder and behind her to talk to you she’s most likely going to just talk to you over her shoulder. The closed body language is defensive and will prevent deeper conversation or interaction. So if she’s facing toward t he bar and away from the crowd take a deep breath and if there’s a seat next to her take that seat. Strike up conversation with the tender, others sitting nearby etc. Again, kinda ignore her and see if she “listens” to your conversations. See if you can get her to laugh indirectly and then use that as an open door to talk directly to her. Keep the others primary focus in the conversation. The key with talking to the bar tender is that they periodically have to tend other customers, so that gives you an excuse to be left talking to nobody but her. When they return, talk to them again and give her time to take you in. From there see if you can get her interested in the handwriting analysis and go to a table with two chairs as described in the previous scenario.
If the seats around her are full this calls for a make or break tactic. If you’ve determined that she’s alone, walk briskly up to her, look at the base of her stool and say, “Excuse me could you please stand up?” Reach out your hands quickly like it’s imperative that she stand and you’re going to help her. If she stands quickly “steal her seat”. Deviously (or inocently) smile and say, “I stole your seat!”, and turn away from her. Odds are if she’s not in a nasty mood she’ll laugh and say something like, “Excuse me, that’s MY seat!” Here’s the deal, now she’s on the outside over your shoulder, and now she’s going to be forced to talk to you.
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At that point indicate that her name isn’t on the stool. She might say, “But you don’t know my name.” That’s when you say, “Ok, what’s your name?” Try to be playful and keep her smiling, and laughing is good. Blow her mind. You might get her name at this point. Then tell her yours and start small talk if possible. DON’T GIVE UP THE SEAT YET. If things go well, invite her to a table to experience your dazzling display of handwriting analysis. Lol
Remember, use the paper, pen, table, two chairs, stool, and other things as available for tools and props as part of your routine. Many women seem to respond well to tools and props.