At what point in the online interaction is it appropriate to ask for her name and number ?

I don't ask for a woman's name, I find something about her personality, profile or screen name and 'give' her a name that only I call her.

For example, I have been going back and forth on fb with a girl that visits my gym. She hasn't been in the gym in a while, so I started calling her 'slacker'. If she is in the gym, I say 'hey, slacker is here'. She turns red and smiles ear to ear. It's like a pet name but in a fun flirty way. She has a boyfriend, so I have no intentions of trying to pull her away from him (guy code), but I have my fun anyway.

As far as numbers are concerned, I don't ask unless I get obvious IOIs. Focus on raising her interest level and comfort level and the IOIs will come relatively quick.

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Keep people off-balance and in the dark by never revealing the purpose behind your actions. - Robert Greene

ok, I have heard the nickname thing before and tried it once. I am not feeling solid on what constitutes and online IOI. In real life I am just looking for visual things or very blatant physical/verbal things.

Can you give an example of an online IOI ?

I never thought or knew of the nickname bit. I like it! Definitely personalizes the interaction.

Would it be better to ask for a number and either call or text them to meet up, or to just ask them online for a date and then trade numbers afterwards?

sinful says wait for a sign of interest, but I am not getting anything blatant so I might be missing something.

To be honest I just wait for the point when she would look like a total arshole and an idiot for not giving me her phone number and then ask for it.

Can you give an example of an online IOI ?

1. Sending pics (especially risque pictures)
2. Flirting
3. She sends you a message first.
4. She responds to your messages quickly.
5. Banter
6. Asks YOU questions.
7. She sends a message as soon as you logon.
8. Leaves status messages on your fb.

Some of these may not seem profound, but remember, most girls are very subtle when it comes to communicating interest. Also, just because she shows you an IOI (or 2), it doesn't mean shoot forward at 100 miles an hour. These IOIs simply mean that you are heading in the right direction. Whatever it is that you are doing is working, so keep doing it. I'm sure there are many others.

_________________
Keep people off-balance and in the dark by never revealing the purpose behind your actions. - Robert Greene

Would it be better to ask for a number and either call or text them to meet up, or to just ask them online for a date and then trade numbers afterwards?

Try not to focus on the digits or setting up a date, concentrate on building comfort and attraction FIRST. If you raise her IL (interest level) high enough, everything else will fall into place. Everything becomes easy once her attraction starts to climb. She may even offer you her number without asking, or suggest the two of you meet up for a drink, movie, etc. I have had this happen.

To many guys worry about numbers and email addresses...don't be one of those guys. You could get 50 numbers in one week, but if a woman's IL is not high enough or she isn't feeling attracted to you, those numbers don't me sh*t.

_________________
Keep people off-balance and in the dark by never revealing the purpose behind your actions. - Robert Greene