*Taken from my new blog listed in my profile.

I'm looking for some critique of my first "AA/Opening Sarge", so let me know what you guys think!

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Hey Guys! I am INCREDIBLY excited about this!

Tonight I went out with the two objectives: 1) Approach as many people as I could and 2) Successfully Open some people.

I exceeded my expectations at both! As I pulled into the parking lot of the outdoor shopping/entertainment center, I felt myself get a little nervous and then I told myself, "Hey, you aren't ever going to see these people again. Stop being a pussy." and that helped! Haha.

So I went out and the first set I approach is a 2Set right outside the parking structure, and seeing as I REALLY HAD TO PEE, I told them I had a question for them. The cute brunette on the left answered "Sure, what is it?" w/ a surprising smile! Then asked for the nearest restroom and laughed, which surprisingly made her laugh as well. The other girl, whom I didn't get a good look at, didn't seem to react at all. She pointed me to the nearest one and I was on my way.

I mainly asked Directional-Questions to as many people as I could. I'll only talk about actual, notable sets that went past a directional opener.

The next notable set was at the Barnes and Noble where I was in their Mysetery section. I spot this Asian 7 eyeing the novels in there and make my way a couple feet from her and look at the books. After a couple seconds, I turn my head and this is how it went:

Me: "Hey, could I ask you something?"
Her: "Yeah?"
Me: "Ok, I'm looking for a birthday present for my Mom, and see, she is a mystery novel junky. But the thing is I am absolutely, positively LOST when it comes to crime novels." <-Says with a smile
Her: *Laughs and Smiles*
Me: "Do you think you could help me out and gimme some recommendations." I turned my body from profile to facing her after her laugh, I recognized it as a good sign that I was able to hook and was a possible IOI so I rewarded by facing her.
Her: "Hehe, well I kinda just started reading these kinda books. So, yeah."
Me: "Oh, really? Well, it's either a crime novel or one of those cute kitten calendars."
Her: *Laughs and Smiles* "Those kittens ARE cute!"
Me: "Yeah." Smiles
Her: Shows me the book she's holding "Well, I thought I'd get this book because that show 'The Bones' is based off this, soooo yeah."
Me: "Oh."
* Epic conversation Lull where we both look at more books *
Me: "Well thanks for (eyes dart one way) your help? (eyes dart the other way and back at her in a playful way)"
Her: *Smiles and Giggles* Sure, no problem.

I kinda dropped the ball here and felt I could have used the book she gave me and started a new thread, maybe something like "oh my friend is always watching that show! She won't stop! I think she may want to secretly kill me!" and then stack into something that asked how she got to liking mystery/crime novels.

The next notable set was actually a 3set, again all Asian and probably went 6, 8, 7. This time they were moving walking somewhere and I pull up from behind the 6 on her right and walk "with them" and turn my head over and keep my body forward and ask "Pardon me, but can I ask you guys a quick question?" The 6 stops (omg) and the rest stop after her. The 6 says "OK?" and I proceed with "Do you guys happen to know where the Dave 'n Buster's is?" and the 6 says "Oh, sorry but we're not from around here. /sadface" and to my surprise I respond, "Oh my god, me too! I'm trying to find my friends and they expect me to know where the hell to go! Isn't that awful?!" And to my EXTREME FUCKING SURPRISE the ENTIRE group laughs. I end up saying "Well, thanks, I guess, guys!" playfully and wave goodbye as I turn around and walk away.

I'm pretty proud of myself, I took on all kinds of sets. Standing-stationary sets, Moving-Sets, Sitting-Down sets, etc.

OH! There was actually ONE bad set. I went into this trendy store, I forget the name of it, and I see a shirt I want to try on. So I go back there and there's this girl waiting for the next available fitting room, so I see this as a good opportunity. She was about an 8 on the Asian-Meter , pretty damn cute, imo. So I say to her "Doesn't it suck when there's no rooms left?" she looks at me and nods as if she's heard what I said an then says "What?" I repeat it and then she gives me this weird look and turns away. WTF? LOL. At first I felt bad for getting the stink face, but then a bit later I thought to myself "what was up her butt?" and the negativity pretty much just slipped away.

OVERALL: A great first night out for field practice. A LARGE chunk of my Approach Anxiety has melted away. But I still need to do this regularly so I can improve on the minute details. I think a couple more In-Field AA/Opening Sarges like this will completely obliterate my AA. I am so stoked!

If you guys can, leave feedback so I can get what you think!

Peace Guys,
HighStakes

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nice, you seemed to open a lot of people, better than my first attempt by far

thanks, it was definitely an experience. at first i thought i'd be this weird guy, but it turned out very normal and such. i had a blast actually.

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Fantastic post. I really enjoyed your book conversation. so good even better - this just came to you? I think it's very clever. I loved this, im never on top of things enough to be this calculating. I REALLY need to start 1. counting iois and 2. using a girls 'count' as a meter informing my behavior - im not entirely daft in this respect, but i KNOW it needs work. To me, she is bonding with you here. You should have totally engaged her more at this point. a few thoughts
1. come up confidently and take the book, give it a look over and in a knowledgeable manner (not so much if you dont konw the show.. but you could still do this, i have often act like i know lots of shit i dont) express your approval of the book (relate to her world view and show interest in it). If you can, add some sort of insightful comment about the book, but maybe close it off by some silly comment about 'rambling'
2. same as the first, but come off like you dont like it at all. If you do this, make sure you end up with some sort of kino. tap her with the book, illustrating you are just joking.. if you can, instead of the book use your hand and hit her shoulder (read a good post about kino releasing some 'female hormone' or something, but regardless im a firm believer in the power of kino)
3. (if you dont konw the book) look very curious - remember, this mystery book stuff is a complete 'mystery to you' -this could even be a stupid joke you make. its not hilarious, but it's clearly a joke and, given a warm reception, get you a chuckle. it's cute, and some girls (i dare say asian girls in particular) love 'cuteness'. Since she knows about it, get her to open up about it. This is a great comfort building conversation, let her 'tell you' how the book is. make sure to inject your responses with comments about how you 'feel' - try to replicate some of the major emotions she seemed to express. Mirror her, this would be important for 1&2, but you are doing less talking here so mirroring HER is more important. Try to end the conversation with a quick summary of her key points and then take them further if you can, make some insightful comment.
4. Im no neg master, but i wonder... take a look at the book and say. Ugh, this looks worse than that TV show. You seriously like it... ya, i know a few girls who seem like like that show.. i dont get it. over extend your look on her, not in a mean way, but in a 'thats just how i feel about that' kinda way and then after it sinks in that you ARENT a dick, just maybe insensitive on this matter switch it up. Tap her shoulder / kino it up and say, "But hey, this is exactly what I am talking about, my knowledge of this genre is fairly thin, my mom would surely love that book. Now that I know you like / know a lot about (said kinda cocky, as though your teasing her / implying that she actually has no taste in books ) mystery books you HAVE to make a recommendation". If shes too put off, quickly pull a book out (try to have at least a lame reason ready for whatever book you do pick up - weird pic, title, famous author.. anything) and ask her opinion on it? If she wont engage again, switch back to nice mode and say you value her opinion etc.
--seems like im just randomly saying shit here.. i really only wanted to cover the neg at the start. i am bad with negs, but what do you make of this one i threw out there.

Thats just my two, if not more, cents.

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Thanks for the tips, Dokstar. Definately make sense.

Yeah I was too wound up with the "get rid of AA / practice opening" mindset that I completely blanked on post-hook comfort building and rapport. Ah well, that'll be done after a couple more AA/opening sarges I imagine.

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thats pretty good man i gotta try that out. im still reading the books but reading this should help with my AA

Not a problem man. I'm glad what i said made some sense. I really liked what you had done, so if I were you I'd be damn happy with what you achieved.
Haha.. I've been there as well. You can get so caught up in just this new world of approaching that when you actually start to get ahead of yourself. I distinctly remember feeling almost slightly panicked at one point in time because during my first AA-smashing exercises I was talking up some hot ass chick, but really had no clue what I really wanted to say other than some basic opener. Though not ideal, it was a great experience.
uhmm so somehow i fell asleep and didnt post this last night... but as i was saying..

Exactly, keep pressing on mate. By the sounds of things you are already doing exceptionally well. Congrats on the experience and thanks for the post.

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I do what I can, but I know I can do better.