So about a year ago I decided to try some cold approaches to see what I could do. The day didn't go well and I ended up feeling pretty discouraged and since then have been sticking mostly to online dating. OLD is okay, but I've been doing it so aggressively that I'm totally at the mercy of how many women decide to sign up for the site each day. Alternatively I could walk through the mall and see hundreds and hundreds of beautiful women I've never seen before.

Basically I want to go through how I tried last time to see what you guys think.

I went store to store in a busy plaza striking up conversations with women. I didn't really get anywhere and was just practicing being friendly. I walked into a Barnes and Noble bookstore and decided to give my strategy a shot.

I pretended I was doing a report for my university. It was a study of how book stores were dying out because of the rise of downloadable books. And so I was to interview shoppers and get their thoughts. It seemed like a pretty safe reason to approach women.

I asked one girl who was decently attractive. She seemed nervous and uncomfortable at first but really opened up during the chat. I asked for her number so I could contact her in the future and she happily gave it to me. (The number turned out to be fake.)

I approached another woman and asked her if she had a moment to answer some questions. She said no and scampered off.

I found another couple hot women and had a few sit downs. The conversations went okay and I even closed with the phone number. (I texted them a couple days later and they both stopped responding once I identified myself.)

I was flying pretty high at the time with three phone numbers in my pocket and moved in on another cutie. She agreed to allow my interview and as we were walking to sit down the store manager approached me and told me to leave.

"You are not to solicit my customers at my store. We can do this the nice way and you can leave now, or I can call the police," he said. I was stunned and totally shocked. I tried telling him I was just doing a project for school and he didn't care. Suddenly the girl I was with's mother approached and asked what was going on. I felt so humiliated and foolish. Despite trying to mask my true intentions, it was as if they saw through me and saw how creepy I was being.

So anyways, I know it was only one time and is no reason to give up. But do you think my idea had merit? By pretending I was doing research I didn't feel so creepy about approaching women. But it's also clear that none of them felt any sexual connection so maybe I was too business like?

I'm debating on whether or not I should recycle this idea or go with something more to-the-point

Yeah, I think the problem is that you won't be building much attraction by doing that. You could maybe spruce it up a little by dropping a compliment in the middle. Stop in the middle of the conversation and say, "You know, you have amazing eyes" and then go back to the routine without breaking stride like it was nothing.

Alternatively you could try dressing as a reporter would but have something about you that's different. Dress like a normal reporter but wear cowboy boots or something. That could generate curiosity that could lead to attraction.

The real downside to the routine, however, imo, is that if you are successful and the girl likes you and wants to get to know you then you'll have to explain how you're not really a journalist.

Hi there,

Sorry to hear about your "mission"
I could imagine that it isn't that good of a play. If you approach as a reporter they probably just see you as a reporter and want to help you with your job.