Like most momentous discoveries, e.g. in science, the advent of the original, now old-school, Mystery Method, was a double-edged knife.

On one hand, it contained many brilliant insights into female psychology, game and social dynamics. A lot of what we do today still owes enormously to that base.

On the other hand, it tends to be regarded by many as gospel, even the parts that have been since improved upon.

One example is the so-called IOI (indicator of interest). The idea that women do certain gestures (grooming, etc.) when they are attracted to you.

The problem came with the application. According to old-school Mystery Method, you should wait til the woman shows IOIs, and ONLY THEN start probing deeper for reasons to like her. In any case, your interest is never shown BEFORE HERS.

This idea is still pervading, although in many cases it is not the most effective and can often be counter-productive. There are several problems with that approach, the biggest of which is that signals from the girl are not the most reliable read-out.

Sure, some girls will show obvious interest and even be aggressive when sufficiently attracted. But by waiting for signals to make moves, you'll lose a lot of opportunities and move too slowly most of the time. What's worse, you'll blow it with the hotter girls, who often show subtle or no signs, even when attracted.

The only true test of the interaction is compliance. If you try to move/touch/sexualize/qualify and she lets you, that's all you need. No "invitation" required.

It's easy for a girl to just stand there and smile while you spit out jokes, it doesn't require any investment from her. But if u escalate the interaction physically, logistically (e.g. move her) or emotionally (e.g. qualify), now she's forced to make a decision. "Do I like him enough?"

So think of qualification/touch as a litmus test. Ping her; if she doesn't comply, THEN you know you need to build more value.

This is a key concept. Don't wait for "permission" to do something, DO it and THEN adjust your behavior depending on the consequences. This goes for qualification, sexualization, touch, etc. Anything that shows interest.

Think about it. Only someone insecure would wait for a signal or invitation to start showing the interest they felt all along. Would a rock star do that? No.

If you have hot girls in your life, telling an attractive woman "you're beautiful" is run of the mill. It doesnt show weakness or supplication.

Showing interest IS NOT weakness. That's the misunderstading of classic Mystery Method, and something that has changed in the way we now perform and teach game.

You can show interest in a confident way. Or you can show interest in a needy way. Only the latter is a problem.

On the other hand, hiding interest is ALWAYS a problem. Only someone insecure, or for whom that interaction means a great deal, would ever do that.

Forget about IOIs. Make moves, show interest, and calibrate after.