I'm far from a guru on the subject, but I thought some readers might be interested in learning a bit from my brief experiences (or critiquing, I'd certainly welcome feedback on what you might have done different). I'm 22, for those who find age relevant.

I rock climb a lot, and took a pair of friends to the gym with me last night. While we were waiting for the mandatory safety class to start (they're both first time climbers) one of the workers comes up to us and tells us that she would be right with us and to just hold tight for 10 minutes.

As she turns to walk away, i jokingly respond "You've got 5." She turns back and says incredulously "omg, did you just say I've got 5?". And then came the longest two seconds of my life, I had never met this chick before and that was an unusually bold move on my part. Guess the inner game is starting to set in.

Anyway, right when I started to doubt myself, she laughs and says "I like it!", turning away just in time for me to exhale.

The takeaway here is to err on the side of too much boldness, and not too little.

The rest of the night, she continued to pass by where my friends and I were climbing, we would chat and cut up briefly as she did so.

My friends insist it was her trying to flirt with me, and looking back on it I would agree with them. Notice how even one bold move can make you stand out enough for several hours worth of amicability.

At one point she was behind me talking to someone else and said "You would be the first person at this gym to get my number!" then, looking right at me, said "I'm just kidding, I always give it out!".

Pretty obvious hint, and moreover it gave me something to go off of when I went to get her number. Pay attention to what they say and finding a segue to N-Closing is not particularly difficult.

So at the end of the night, I walk up, tap her on the shoulder and say "Word on the street is it's pretty hard to get your number. And I have no business ignoring a hint THAT obvious, so here. Put your number in my phone." She cracks up and asks me if I'm serious, to which I just smirk and continue holding my phone out to her.

The key here is state control. Laughing at your own attempt to get her number would have ensured not getting it. If you don't take yourself seriously, how can you expect her to? Just smirk at her outburst and hold your frame.

I texted her this morning, and the first message I sent bounced. My first thought was "Mother fucker, she gave me a fake number". But I looked at the area code and noticed that two of the digits for a common area code here were swapped. So I corrected the number, and took a shot in the dark. Here is how the conversation went.

Me: Hey there, it's [name] from the rock gym. And you're lucky I recognize a typo'd area code when I see one =P

I always introduce myself along with where I got their number. It makes it easier to remember who I was. After that is some kind of playful conversation starter - I chose to go off of her typo.

Her: Or maybe you passed a test!

The shit test alarms briefly went off, but I decided to just play along. She seemed pretty into me at the gym so I didn't want to overdo it.

Me: Pfft, I went to [university], I pass all my tests

Her: Umm if you went to [university] shouldn't you be ACING tests

And this is where it became necessary to reclaim the frame. I didn't want it to stay with me qualifying myself to her

Me: I aced yours didn't I, miss "[wrong area code] is totally a [state] area code"? Hahaha

Her: You don't know my life I could be from [other state]

Frame reclaimed and subject changed back to playful banter.

Me: What a shame if you are, long distance dating is just too much a pain in the ass

Future pacing, and playfully stating intent. This is so important, if they don't know you're flirting then they won't respond to it. It's high risk high reward - you open yourself to rejection, but if it continues to a date past this point the date will go much smoother. Notice also that I assumed she would go with it. There was no asking, if she corrected me then I would have changed gears and reassessed the situation.

Her: It usually works if there's a prenup!

Her: Lmao! Sorry that's a gym joke..

I didn't fully understand the joke, but I know what a pre-nup is and this was such a golden opportunity to accuse her of wanting to marry me. Again, framing is key here.

Me: A pre-nup? Wooooah I said we could date, not get married. Slow down there, [name] =P

Her: Haha did I say we could date though? So maybe you slow down first! HA! xP

Some last minute resistance, and time to close for a day 2 meeting

Me: Body language says all =P

No need to respond to the part about me slowing down. So I just imply that, yes, you did say we could date.

Her: Because falling off the path screams "date me!" Hah

Me: You nailed it haha. In all seriousness though, when are you off this week?

Pushing for the close

Her: Worst week! It's finals week and I work everyday

Possible flake? One more shot and if she doesn't suggest another time then I've probably just misread this whole situation.

Me: Finals in June? =/

Her: I'm in summer school cuz I'm a transfer

Me: Lol that sucks. Well what about next week? I'm gone Monday - Wednesday but after that we should do something.

Wasn't lying, but the scarcity doesn't hurt. I usually let them pick the date because my schedule is pretty flexible.

Her: I'm good with something Thursday!

Mission accomplished.

Me: Great! Thursday evening good, like 6:30 ish?

Her: Fine by me!

So wish me luck next Thursday when I meet up with her again. Again, I fully welcome any feedback or questions anyone has and I hope it was informative!