Over the years, I have approached various men — both successfully and unsuccessfully.

I initiated the flirting and conversations and intimacy. I have realized expression makes everything easier. Don’t bottle up your feelings for long — unless expression would ruin everything.

Think what is the worst that can happen.

In college, I approached a friend — we used to gel well together — but he acted as if there was nothing. Hurt, I acted stupid, and this rejection gave me the best-drunk story of my life. More on that in another article.

I have seen both men and women — who like each other — wait cross-armed.

We are shy, and at times, we don’t know how to express ourselves. That is where I want to help you. I have been rejected, reciprocated, embarrassed — but I have not stopped asking out men. Why should I? I want to confess to the men whom I find interesting — that I like them — to take our relationship forward.

Do you wonder what kind of women do men prefer?

Everybody, especially men, says men are simple.

Studies in this Slate article show that men put significantly more weight on their partner’s beauty when choosing, than women. Men avoided women whom they perceived to be smarter and more ambitious than them. The article quoted men as the gender of fragile egos in search of a pretty face and threatened by brains or success that exceeds their own.

In a BBC internet survey, out of the top three most desirable traits in a potential partner, men ranked good looks higher than women. Also, when it comes to make-up — a disputed concept — men have many preferences such as full eye makeup, a specific contrast between eyes and lips and the surrounding skin and more.

Now you decide — are men simple?

When I asked men — my friends, my romantic interests and strangers over the internet — they said they like beautiful, sensible women, someone they can talk to, be themselves and comfortable around them. Of course, science suggests beauty matters a lot.

Do you ask yourself — why would I approach guys? Approaching men doesn’t make you any less of a woman. Don’t make it an ego issue.

It is nice to have the situation in your control sometimes. Rather than waiting for his Whatsapp message, you send a hi. Rather than just waiting for him to call you for drinks, you make beer plans. See, it is that easy.

When being suddenly approached, men do not get scared, as women do sometimes. Relax. They are not expecting you to ask them out. So, you already get bonus brownies.

One of my friend’s ex-boyfriend did block me on Gmail when I told him I had a crush on him. But that is one out of many.

Do you like a man and are not sure if he wants you? He is a friend or at work or a physical activity center or in a bar — maybe he is around you — but maybe you are not noticing.

These subtle hints might show his interest

He texts you to update what is happening in his life. A constant trend.

He watches you when you are not looking.

In a group, he sits next to you, walks next to you.

He tries to make you laugh, and your reactions to his jokes matter.

He wants to go out with you for movies, dinner, and more.

He asks you what you want to eat, in a restaurant, before he asks anyone else.

But hints are like icing on the cake. Even if they are missing, go ahead, taste the cake.

How to Approach a Guy?
Don’t Be Scared of Rejections

I suggested the same to men in the article on how to approach women. Please read it to understand why rejections do not mean anything on a longer run.

Maybe he likes someone else. Or he is not looking for anything serious or temporary at that moment — a common cause. Or he is concentrating on only one aspect of his life: a startup, a new job. Men sometimes decide to put in all energy into that one thing because they can’t handle two at a time. Or they are hurt — so they want to maintain an emotional distance.

A Latin American man liked me but did not want to be serious. He was cheated upon, and love was the last thing he was thinking about.

Let it go. Respect the choice of the man. Else you would even ruin the friendship.

What to do once you have overcome the fear of rejection?

Grow Your Personality — For Yourself

Be mature, confident and attractive. Be comfortable with who you are, be honest, be a good human being, speak softly, care for others around you, work hard.

Read the news, stay fit, engage in interesting conversations and not just makeup or clothes or Myntra sales. I am sorry to generalize, but I have to cover the worst-case scenarios. Like I did with men.

This is more than enough to live a good life. Then you would be ever ready to approach not only men but people in general.

If You Are a Feminist — Believe in Equality

There is no bigger turn-off than an unequal treatment when you are all up for equality.

Why should he carry your bags always? My ex-boyfriend insisted on carrying mine. His reasoning was — he would not even notice the weight. He helped me out with what he was good at, and I helped out with what I was good at — mostly food.

If he holds the door for you or pulls the chair out, please say thank you.

Sometimes open the doors for him — men also deserve being treated well.

At PVR, ask him the popcorn flavor he would like. Don’t just say your choice and cross your arms.

Pay for your things or both of you.

Hand over a tissue paper when he is struggling with a rice grain stuck in his beard.

Most men like long hairs — more feminine. There is nothing wrong if he loves long hair — do not lecture him on feminism. Like manliness — howsoever you define it — attract us, right?

We are not doing any favors to men by going out with them. Treat them well, as equals. Your beliefs and how you practice them are a part of your personality. By being honest about them makes everybody like you — especially men.

Be Confident

W. Somerset Maugham said, there is a fundamental difference between men and women — women need romance, men need intrigue.

Intrigue them. No need for pick-up lines and techniques.

Walk up to them, say hi, look into their eyes, smile, introduce yourself, and start a conversation. Show interest in their interests.

Do not ask straight away. Don’t ask stupid questions. Keep a good open body language, relax your shoulders. Chose the right place.

If they maintain long or intense or frequent eye contact, they are interested. If you see them smiling and engaged, you can buy them a coffee or a drink.

Be genuine, express your interest, maintain some distance — you should be good to go.

Also Read: How to Manipulate Your Consciousness – To Live a Better Reality

Leave Subtle Hints

He might ask you out.

A quick kiss on the cheek — it is explicit but subtle. Look into his eyes and act lost. He would understand.

I asked a real estate startup guy, who was showing me houses, about another house showed by an agent — a clear sign of interest. I dated him for two years.

Brush his arm — intimate and subtle. Jean Smith, a flirtologist, says, touch — even a simple brush on the shoulder — generates a positive physiological response. It gets you out of the friend zone and makes you unique.

Act shy and smile. Laugh at his jokes.

Understand him and compliment meaningfully. It makes you stand out and suggests that you might like him.

Remember Sigmund Freud’s saying — We have to soften them, not weaken.

Explicitly ask him out

Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche said, “Women make the highs higher and the lows more frequent.”

Women — men like being asked out. Give them that high. Pull them out of the shoes of the eternal pursuer.

Many friends, acquaintances and online articles have nodded to this. Men also like to be shown interest in. That someone wants to take them out to a movie or a stand-up comedy or dinner or coffee or ice cream or maybe send them flowers – excite them. That you find them handsome, interesting and fun or maybe just sexy, makes them feel desired.

They find a good restaurant, talk to their friends about it, and get their hopes high. They smile and laugh often.

I have asked out many men, and the reactions were stupendous.

Of course, they should know if you ask them out. Not like Rachel in a Friends episode when she ends up giving both the game tickets to a man when instead she wanted to take him out on a date.

Be straightforward. Ask them what they think of relationships or casual dating. Clear your intentions. As William Shakespeare said — “Women speak two languages — one of which is verbal” — please use the verbal one.

Also Read: When Spanish Hit Me – My Heartfelt Tale of Learning Spanish in South America

What Not to Do and When to Stop

Don’t keep sending messages if they don’t respond.

If they keep looking around in a conversation — stop.

Don’t hammer them with how good you are. It makes us uninteresting.

Pursue them but not too much. Let them also work a little bit if they like you.

Don’t wait too long — else you might never get the chance.

Life is going by today while you are busy planning tomorrow. Don’t just wait for life, make it happen.

Also Read: How to Achieve Your Goals – 12 Principles That I Have Stuck to Since I Was Fifteen Years Old

Do you still have questions about how to approach a guy? Let me know in comments. Would also love to know how it worked out for you.

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