| Here are some cheap DHVs and ideas on how you can develop them. If you follow this advice, it should help you keep conversations going, too. I'm new to all this and know that much of this has been said in other places, but these are my personal notes about what has worked for me.
- Vocabulary --
Using big words without making a big deal out of it gets em every time. Don't say something like "ecumenical" and look at them for approval or understanding, just say it naturally and continue the sentence. I'm not kidding when I say get a "Word of the Day" desk calendar and try to use the word 3 times each day. Cost: $8.95
- Cooking --
Girls LOVE the fact that my housemate and I did "duelling chicken parmesans" a few months ago where we each prepared the meal and then decided on a winner. Women love to hear about men cooking. If you don't have a housemate, try two different recipes for a meal you like. It's a great way to let you do an opinion opener ("Hey, nutmeg or allspice?"). Cost: $30 in groceries
- Music --
I've started to listen to a few artists that chicks love, so I can just throw out their names once in a while. Bon Iver, Billie Holiday, and Adele all seem to strike a chord with women my age right now (I'm 40). Learn one interesting thing about each artist you plan on mentioning. Bon Iver is from Minnesota. Do the rest of your homework yourself. Cost: FREE (use Pandora)
- Books --
Lots of IOIs when I start talking about The Hunger Games. Read a couple classics if you can, but honestly, most chicks don't read that much either. Cost: FREE (go to the library)
- Shoes --
Women notice shoes. Get some cool shoes. One pair brown ones, one pair black ones. Never wear the brown ones with black pants. Always wear a matching belt. Cost: $150-$250 (for 2 pairs of cool shoes and 2 belts)
- Wine --
Learn about a couple wines. Brands don't matter (noone buys a bottle over $20 unless it's a special occasion). Start with the whites (it's almost spring). So just learn the difference between a chardonnay, a pinot grigio, and a sauvignon blanc. Buy a bottle of each. Put them in the fridge. Take them out a half hour before you drink them. Then have them with your meals for the next couple days or weeks. See how they taste different? What's different about them? Take note of those differences. That's it. Now you're as much of a wine expert as me. Cost: $25-$45
- Religion --
For some reason, women love my religious background. If you have something interesting to share on that front, I encourage it. If you don't have anything cool to share, then just read up on your religion a little. If you're a Catholic, find out which kind (Eastern Orthodox, RC, whatever -- and then find out how they're different). If you're a Protestant, find out which kind and what makes it unique. Cost: FREE (use Wikipedia)
- Politics --
Never. NeveR. NEVER talk about politics. Just don't do it. If they ask you about politics, just say "I'm a boardroom conservative and a bedroom liberal." And then leave it at that. Cost: FREE
-TV---
Watch Downton Abbey and pick a reality show you can say is your "secret vice" (I love The Bachelor). Pick anything except Jersey Shore. Seriously. Stop watching Jersey Shore. DLV. For shows to watch, True Blood jumped the shark so don't bother. The Wire is a good one (girls love to talk about their secret crushes on Omar), but you'll have to Netflix it. Cost: $15/month
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