Every time I hear some guy start a conversation with a girl in a situation where most guys would find it very challenging, I have to recognize over and over that the most effective ways of starting a conversation with a woman are also the most simple. Yesterday I was walking by a small park during an early afternoon. It was sunny and warmer than usual. A woman in her late 20’s to early 30’s was sitting on the grass and reading. As this very casually dressed guy was walking by the area where she was sitting, he stopped and looked at her. She lifted her eyes for a moment, looked at him, then looked down again at her book and continued reading. The guy then exclaimed: “This must be the best and the cheapest thing anyone can do on such a nice day … just being here and reading”. She smiled and said: “Well, you know what they say – the best things in life are free.” As she was about to go back to reading, the guy got a little closer to her and quickly responded with: “I have actually been thinking recently whether it’s true. Do you really believe that?” I am not sure how she responded to that, but his next question was “What are you reading”? When she showed him the cover of her book, he got closer to look at the title. Then he said: “Can I see it for a second?” – this was a perfect excuse to come up to her and continue their conversation. If you find yourself in a similar situation, don’t be afraid of not knowing what she is reading or even if you have never heard of the author of that book. This is a perfect opportunity to ask her what the books is about and why she decided to read it.
Approaching women in parks is admittedly a difficult task. Many women don’t feel comfortable being approached when they are sitting at a park and reading, and their natural inclination is to cut a conversation with a stranger short and move on with their reading. It takes quite a bit of confidence and persistence to break through those barriers even with women who are very much single and who spend a lot of time worry about why they are still single and why they can’t meet more and better guys. That guy’s attitude and ability to start a conversation was admirable regardless of where it went afterwards. And the best part of that interaction was the very first thing he said. Without a doubt it was easier for him to say what he did because it was relevant and he really meant it.