TL;DR - See Summary

CHARACTERS

Hanna - Barely 20 something Blonde.

Rip - Some guy who should know better but doesn’t.

SETTING

Train ride for no more than 3 minutes.

EVENTS

I bustle into the train and grab onto a rail putting me half a metre away from this blonde.

”Charlie Brown.” I say to her. ”Sorry?” she replies. ”It’s Charlie Brown on your jumper. Looks like the whole peanut gang’s there too. Turn around and let me check.” I grab her hand and spin her around.

”Nope can’t see it you’re too fast. My name’s Rip.” as I extend my hand to shake hers. ”Hi I’m Hanna.” she replies as she returns my hand shake. I don’t waver just lock onto her eyes for an instant whilst I hold her hand. Then let go still keeping her firmly in my sights. ”Your accent; it’s vague. I can’t place it.” As I pick up HOW she responded. ”I guess it's..” I say as I start throwing out random countries she might be from..

She laughs. She responds. We enjoy the ride. Then her stop arrives. We say our goodbyes and off she goes. Some ending right? No number close; no fucking(well not her at least) and no dick waving triumph.

SUMMARY

Approaching; and your anxiety of it doesn’t have to be so. It can be casual. If you are. It took me less than three minutes to learn her name, where she’s from, where she grew up, where she’d been that day, that she has one brother and is studying to become a paramedic. AND that she likes Charlie Brown.

Information I could have used to escalate with.

If approach anxiety prevents you from approaching; approach something tangible about her. Earrings. Shoes. Charlie Brown Jumpers. Things she spends time and money on and will appreciate YOU noticing. Knowing your Prada from your YSL is a bonus but not necessary. Hone your observational skills and you’ll find a myriad of openings unfold. Then flirting, and approaching becomes just that little bit easier.

Godspeed and good-luck!