Context

Stumbled upon PUA last friday morning.

In order:

  • read stuff on manic's site, including the Ross Jeffries book

  • found seddit, read all the stuff from the sidebar and a couple of the top voted posts of all time

  • read the following recommended books: Magic Bullets, How to Win Friends and Influence People, No More Mr. Nice Guy

Skip to Friday night: I was done with the books and thought they were pretty shit TBH, but I had taken away quite a bit of useful stuff from the sidebar.

Pre-amble

Saturday, Sunday: I'm doing my best to apply what I've learnt. I'm talking to more people (easy to do in my job as a waiter, and got me some sweet tips!), touching people (bump into someone on the street? I put my hand on their shoulder while apologising. It feels perfectly natural, why didn't I do this before?), smiling more, holding eye contact with women and forcing myself to say hi (although I pussy out more often than not).

Gym day

On the way to the gym, I approach two girls and complement one on her hat. I pussy out after that but it's a decent baby step and I'm feeling good about it.

When I get to the gym, I meet a guy who's a much older acquaintance of a friend of mine. I'd never been sure whether he wanted to talk or was just saying hi out of politeness (what the fuck? why would he not want to talk? if he doesn't it's his loss anyway!), and would always be pretty awkward with him ("h-hi"). This time I greet him with a resounding "what's up" and we shoot the shit for a while. While talking I sit down on a bench, and it helps me feel comfortable and at ease.

He leaves, I work in on the bench with some dude and slap him on the back to congratulate him on his lift. I'm feeling fucking great, and that's when I notice this cutie working out almost in a frenzy, crazy determined.

I'd already asked a chick out once at the gym, and it had been a disaster. I was completely disarmed by how hot she was, I was looking at her during my whole workout, and when I finally asked her out before leaving I initially pussied out so I had to double back to her when I was already on my way out. Fuck me.

This time, I'm ready to do things differently. I calmly finish my workout, paying no attention to the girl. After all, I have a workout to finish. On my way out, I see her. She's stretching on the floor. Three things are barring my approach:

  • she's super flexible, and the stretching is making her look fucking amazing

  • she's lying down, it's kind of awkward to approach her

  • she's wearing earphones

I figure out how to deal with 2 and 3 and think: "here goes nothing". I walk up, sit down right in front of her, and know I did good by the two seconds of puzzled / intrigue look I get before her face settles into a "who the fuck is this guy" look. I then smile and motion to her to remove her earphones. She complies, and stops frowning. I compliment her on the passion with which she seems to be working out. Clearly I haven't dealt with problem number 1, that she's intimidatingly hot, because I can hear my voice trembling, but fuck it, I soldier on.

She seems unsure how to take the compliment, so I explain: "you look like nothing can stop you. 'fuck yeah I'm fucking rowing bitches!'". She laughs, explains that she's stressed from her exams, so I say: "well, you need to relax. I know the perfect way: I'll get to know you over a cup of coffee tonight."

She can't tonight, but this weekend is OK. I go grab a pen to jot her number down, ask what her name is (I say I don't want to save her in my phone as "cool gym girl"), and do a proper fucking handshake. My usual handshake is a "real man's shake", like I'm in some movie where two alpha males meet and have to impress each other by the firmness of it. This time, I realize this is my first touch with a beautiful woman, and it better be sweet, so I clasp her hand, gently but tightly, keeping eye contact the whole time. Much better.

I write down her number, chat for another 30 seconds, then explain that I have to be off. "It was nice meeting you", and I squeeze her shoulder lightly, get up and walk away without a further glance, feeling like a million bucks.

Thanks seddit.