In my observation there are two basic theories though many nuances. Dating and pick-up.

Corey Wayne is probably the paramount dating guru and probably some nuance of the mystery method the paramount version of pick up. There is a movement towards natural game.

Pickup is really only around 60 years old. Courtship probably 10,000 years old. Courtship has the advantage.

Pickup is overtly technical. Its not that such is bad, but its a lot harder to implement if you are a beginner. It also has a tendency to make people overly analytical and pressure themselves a lot.

With that said, my opinion is that unless you are interacting with the girl in person without separation from approach to sex. Like you spent 7-8 hours straight with her. You might as well switch to a dating method.

First regardless which you employ you must have courage. You have to have enough courage to initiate conversation and ask women out.

I ask women on dates. I don't ask for phone numbers without a purpose. A simple example is just saying: would you like to grab a drink with me sometime next week(end). If she agrees I say great, lets exchange numbers and I will set it up.

First it gives exchanging of numbers a purpose. We all know a number is no good if she doesn't want to see you again so why not test her interest early?

I question the necessity of text game and shit. What if you could do all that and more by doing nothing? How many times have you fucked up with a woman of reasonably high interest by texting too much? Do you really want to be just her pen pal? Isn't talking too much emasculating to begin with?

Why not wait a minimum of 4 days to reach out and show her: you have a life and she is not the center of it. You are not needy or clingy (manifestations of insecurity) you are a bit of a challenge. Make her wonder if you are going to call (mystery). Show her you are not afraid to loose her if you don't call right away(confidence). Set yourself apart from all the thirsty bitch-boys that call the same day, the next day and so on.

How about using the phone to set up in person dates only. Show her that value real time interaction. Build a stronger connection. Read her actual body language and so on.

Yes in theory it may take a bit longer. But does it really? I mean only if you are really good at text game. And I am sure some of you are! But why make it a priority when this works more often. Why not leave yourself a little conversation material for when you see her in person.

I am reminded of the joke two bulls on a hill. The young bull gets horny by his favorite cow and says lets run down there and fuck her. The old bull says, lets WALK down there and fuck them all!

Patience is the often overlooked aspect of confidence.

Dating has a built in comfort building stage. It over comes her defence against being perceived as a slut, for the most part. In fact its pretty much probably the reason dating and courtship exists.

I also see a lot of PUA posts here getting blown out as much as anyone. And that's okay. The truth is the more you pursue, the more you get rejected but, by pursuing more you still increase your odds.

I do think a lot of game works. But if you just in general learn to socialize you raise your status by working a room. Also if you just think about being social and not getting something specific, you are perceived as less threatening because you are the sociable guy. Be social with men too, its never a mistake. Also by thinking this way you navigate by process of being an explorer rather than being a hunter.

You "discover" : who is open for dialogue, who is open to flirting, who is open for dating and so on.

I do understand pickup is a lot about breaking through those barriers when someone is not open. But interestingly enough moving on to someone who is, can accomplish that too.

Example: I tried to chat up this bartender brunette and she wasn't having it. So I moved on. I aporoched a group of girls chatted with them for awhile. This super hot blondie ended up liking me so much she followed me everywhere. Followed me to the bathroom. Waited outside until I was done. Now bartender is interested!

I didn't have to use any script any game any dhv routine. If you are comfortable in your own skin, and believe me I was once the most shy people you could ever meet. If you practice being social, and it takes practice, you do those things naturally.

Anther interesting point, the blondie was more attractive. So don't think just bc woman A doesn't like you, that there isn't a woman B who will. And who is just as good or better. The difference is her openness!

Anyway, I am not saying not to learn game but want to make summarise a few points.

Without courage you have no chance at all!

Courage is more valuable than confidence.

Expecting yourself to be confident in new or all situations is unrealistic.

You can't really fake it until you make it, but you can water it and watch it grow. Courage is the water.

You might as well go out and be yourself for awhile but be yourself as an initiator of conversation, before you try to learn any structured game. You must initiate! That takes courage.

If nothing else ask her out on a date. That takes courage.

Getting a date or laid is not the only success. For some of you just saying hi to a pretty girl might be a success for you! Start where you are!

Be patient with the fucking phone and use it to set dates only! Unless you are a master of text game or, aspiring to be this is higher percentage.

Drop women that won't meet you in person. Its okay, its a numbers game.

When it comes to physical contact let her touch you first...twice.

Go for a kiss if she touched you twice. Definitely go for it if you did a lot of physical contact flirting. Idk its hard to teach someone how to flirt because it can be so nuanced and opportunistic. Just think about crescendo.