Some of negotiation techniques discussed in the book Never Split the Difference By Chris Voss are directly applicable to improving everyday social interactions and increasing the chances that another person will want to go out with you.

I found the single most important and undervalued piece of advice in the book was that “No” is not a bad word to hear from a person and that it is actually the best place to start.

Being able to say the word 'No' empowers the other person and makes them feel relaxed and in control. Their mind can then fully focus on the present interaction instead of being preoccupied trying to come up with an escape plan.

It is important to show the other person early on in a conversation that you are completely comfortable with them saying the word 'No' or disagreeing with you, and that there will be no negative repercussions if they do so.

This concept is huge when it comes to making friends and getting dates. When you finally ask a person to make future plans with you, and commit to meeting with you again, it’s paramount that they feel that you will be comfortable hearing 'No.' Not only so that you can trust their immediate answer, but also so you know that they will most likely follow through in the future.

The person wants to know that if they choose to spend more time with you, you will respect their future decisions on how they decide your relationship is to evolve. This will make them more comfortable to meet with you again. If they think you have a strict agenda and that you may not respect them saying 'No' to you in the future, then they will often avoid meeting again altogether.

The book describes the many different types of “yes” and “no, ” such as Counterfeit, Confirmation, and Commitment. It also teaches the techniques of active listening, emotion labeling and "Asking How," which are all relevant when asking someone out. Check out this YouTube video if you are interested in learning how to apply these techniques.