So, I was asked for my opinion on direct openers.

You guys know all about this, right? You walk up to a girl and start with something like:

PUA:

    You look absolutely gorgeous, I just had to say hi. My name is…

(exchange names)

    Why are you special?

Myself, I think direct openers are cool. But then, I’m a direct kind of girl.

This is why they are cool:
1) The interaction is initiated with the target. There is no guessing, “Does he like me? Does he like my friend?” Even when it seems obvious , that can still happen in a set where the girls interpret winning over an obstacle as interest in the obstacle, which in turn may trigger friend loyalty (it does happen, even with girls!) if the obstacle likes you and shut down the target.
2) It shows self confidence, which is a great DHV. I think a PUA has to have a really strong frame to be able to use this technique, because it is more personally exposed with you stating your opinion rather than asking a group of chicks for a bullshit opinion on something neither you nor they care about. (Which is fine as far as it goes, since the point is to get them talking to you.) It ups the ante a little, right off the bat.

Some important considerations when using direct openers:
1) Make her qualify. This is essential. Every AFC in the club has, at some point, used the compliment-”Can I buy you a drink?” combo. The qualification is what makes you different.
2) You have to watch your tone and wording. Women are ultra sensitive to this. To most guys, “What’s special about you?” and “Why are you special?” are identical. They aren’t. “What’s special about you?” is more dismissive. It’s easier to imply that there is nothing special about her, which turns it into a neg almost immediately. And opening with negs is rarely a good idea; they shouldn’t be used until you have an idea what her ego is like, and then only if needed. Same thing goes for tone. Watch how you emphasize words. Language is full of nuances and subtleties for women.

I don’t know if a bar or club environment is the best place to use direct openers since those are the places where bitch shields are most active. I would respond negatively to it in that environment unless it was extremely well done. I could see this working really well during day game, though. Like an approach in a bookstore:

PUA:

    You are really stunning. I just had to come over and meet you.

(exchange names)

    Are you smart, too?

Direct openers are awesome, and way better than the canned “opinion” routines for guys that have the confidence to use them (and if you don’t, you should be working towards it). They are easily modified to fit the specific situation because it’s more formula than script. (Which all good pickup is anyway.) They feel a lot more genuine; they’d feel even more so if personalized to the girl and the situation:

  • You have a beautiful smile./Are you a good dancer?
  • You have captivating eyes./Do you speak Italian?
  • You have a lovely voice./Can you sail?

    • Again, be careful not to accidentally neg. The classic “Nice nails. Are they real?” almost seems to fit the compliment-qualify formula. It doesn’t though; you understand why, right?

    Word of caution: I do think that there is a higher potential “creepy” factor, if it fails or the delivery is bad.

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