Simple hack for your text game and real-time interaction. Try to avoid using question marks.

Here's how it works:

  1. You're talking to a girl, and you want to know her favorite food. Instead of asking "What is your favorite food?", issue a command "Tell me your favorite food."

  2. She makes a comment in passing, and you're not sure where it came from. Instead of the clarifying question, "What do you mean?", issue a command: "Tell me exactly what you mean."

It's a subtle shift in frame. With questions, she is in a position of power (having more knowledge == having more power). With commands you are in the position of power by telling her what to do. If you've been doing your job correctly, the effect is amplified. She will perceive that you already knew what she was thinking, and you're putting her through the paces of articulating something for her own benefit while giving her an opportunity to please you through fulfilling a request.

Action Item for the Class: Spend a week counting how many questions you ask vs the total of how many declarations you make and commands you issue. Fewer questions and more commands/declarations are better. Then improve your score the next week.