Talking to Girls

(Movie courtesy of Kelroy at goathouselives.blogspot.com)

I have never really dated for any significant amount of time. I always say I'm going to, and then I agree to be exclusive and end up in a 5+ month relationship. With that said, I suck at chatting up girls and getting myself put on the "real ladder" as opposed to the "friends ladder". If you're unfamiliar with the ladder theory, read up.  Let's look at a couple of this week's failures and learn from my mistakes.

Scenario 1: Neighbors from downstairs
Overall Attractiveness: 7/10
Scene: I have just arrived home from picking up The Beatles Rock Band, and I see that my neighbor has taken her dog outside.  (They just moved in too.)  I am wearing clothes from the day before with a Cardinals hat covering my crazy morning hair that I haven't cut in over a month.  Hawt!
Dialog:
Girl - Hello.
Me - Hi, who do you have there with you? ... How are you settling in? ...
Girl - Beatles Rock Band, huh?  I hear that game's pretty fun.
Me - Well, it just came out today.  I'm about to take it for a spin.  You and your roommate should come hang out later if you get bored.
*end of dialog*
Thoughts:
- I have no idea how much small talk I need to make to be polite, especially in those random meetings.
- My invitation to hang out was pretty weak, and I could have worded it better.  Telling her that we're in need of a singer or something might have worked better.  Maybe offering beer would have helped too.  Who knows.

Scenario 2: Tivoli Snack Stand Attendant
Overall Attractiveness: 6/10
Scene: As you might have guessed from my previous post, I went to see nine with a few friends of mine.  One of my female friends, we'll say M, was chatting with me as I stood in the concession line.  Finally, it was my turn to order something.
Dialog:
Girl - What can I do for you?
Me - I'd like a Schlafly Pale Ale.
Girl - That'll be $4.50.  *gets drink*
Me - Talks to M.
*group goes to sit down*
Other friend - I just needed to mention that the concession attendant was alternating between checking you out and giving M the stink eye.
The attendant was not there when we got out of the movie.
Thoughts:
- My glasses give me super tunnel vision.  I have no idea what my posture is like when I wear them, but I generally don't look at people because I focus on my auditory sense.  Maybe it's best to stick with my contacts.
- Should I have chugged down the beer and gone back to chat her up?  What do you say to someone that's working that won't make you seem like an ass?  I need to think on this one.

Scenario 3: Two Female Neighbors
Overall Attractiveness: 7.5/10 & 6.5/10 = 7/10
Scene:
My roommate and I get home from hanging out with our mutual friend J.  Two girls that I've never seen before are out back with their dog.  I jump out of the car to introduce myself.  My roommate is sulking by the staircase up to our place.  It's about 11:30 at night.
Dialog:
Me - Hi there.  Do you guys live here?  I'm Lancifer from 3W next door.  Do you go to school around here?
Girls - Wash U and SLU.
Me - Cool.  Well, I won't keep you out, but I just wanted to say hi.
Roommate - That was awkward.
Me - It didn't help with you standing over by the stairs.
Thoughts:
- My roommate needs to be a better wingman when I actually have the courage to talk to women.
- I'm not sure if I should have approached them considering that it was night, and I might seem like a creeper.  I don't know when I'll see them again though.  *shrugs*

Overall considerations:
- At least I'm trying a little.  I need more practice though.
- Wear the damn contacts.
- Look your best from the moment you walk out the door.  You never know who you'll bump into.
- Pay attention to your surroundings, or you'll miss opportunities you didn't know you had.
- Still not sure how to have an effective small talk conversation.  I need to work on that.