Hey there, totally new to the community and my issues are definitely typical rookie stuff that I'm sure there are already tons of resources about. Still, since I'm in a particular situation for just one more week and need help quickly (if I spend my time googling and reading tons of threads I will miss the opportunity) I'd be really thankful to get some personal advice in this thread.

I've been wanting to try PUA techniques since long and now I have the perfect opportunity to experiment, since I am in another country for two weeks, in a city where I hardly know anyone. Having nothing to lose I decided to try to learn to approach strangers but have been faced with difficulties, fears and blockings. I will start with my problems and then whoever wants can read a brief summary of the last week below.


1st problem: blocking and fear of approaching. I guess this is the first problem for everyone and there are lots of guides so I guess this one is just about training and daring. Any tips still welcome of course.
2nd problem: Blocking and fear after approaching. Not knowing what to say. Getting blocked, too conscious of the situation, too intimidated by her beauty. I think this might actually be a bigger problem for me. Of course there's lots written on this too and I will read, but any hints or tips you guys can provide me with right now are most appreciated.
3rd problem: Fear of questions about me. This is an issue that I haven't read about in PUA material (though I haven't researched thoroughly). I'd say I feel genereally very umcomfortable talking about myself with strangers because I am afraid they will lose interest. The thing is, in my current life I am nowhere near my potential and I don't really have a high social status or anything that would impress people in a short conversation. Once I get to know people they normally realize that I am a quite spectacular person anyway but in these PUA situations I don't have the time it takes to make that impression, or at least I don't know how to convey it in short time. So instead I find myself really scared of getting questions like "so what do you do?". How do I handle that? What do I say if I get asked? Should I make up stuff, etc? Any advice on this topic would be very appreciated!

Bonus problem: Age. I am 30+ but look a lot younger than my age, hang out mostly with younger people and the places I go to are mostly frequented by younger people. Including of course the girls I want to hit on. Should I be honest about my age? I am afraid girls that are 10 years younger will be uncomfortable once I reveal my age.


So this is what happened so far in the foreign city. To start overcoming fears I began by starting to talk to a random dude who looked cool and was sitting in by himself in a semi-crowded public spot. It took some guts to actually do it and at first he seemed uncomfortable, probably thinking I was gonna hit on him. But then we had a good conversation for quite some time. Meanwhile, though, there was this really hot girl with an equally hot friend who was very obviously looking at me, and openly flirting. I am used to getting looks and glances, without knowing what/if they mean anything, and not acting on it. But in this case it was so obvious. Perhaps I had gotten some special charisma by taking the first step and talking to the guy. I didn't approach though, and as the girls left the spot, the hot girl was really staring, and talking to her friend and both of them looking at me. And what did I do? Nothing! Instead of just getting up and hailing them, talking to them, asking for a number or whatever, I just stared back, smiled and mentioned the flirting to my newfound buddy (who turned around to look, which made both girls look away and walking out of sight). So silly!

Since then I have been trying to pep myself to talk to more strangers but too often I find myself blocked. I am trying to not focus on hot girls but just approach random people but it is really difficult. I was in so many situations where I knew just what to do - but I just couldn't. One evening I was out in some bars and made some attempts that just got awkward. Anyway, yesterday, Friday night, I went to a club with a female friend and as usual I was looking around, seeing lots of hot chicks without daring to do anything. Suddenly my female friend asks me "what do you think about that girl?", pointing at a gorgeous blonde dancing in front of us. I said I thought she looked good and my friend said "where do you think she's from" (she didn't look like a native) and we discussed that and then my friend said, "perhaps you should ask her". And I really wanted to do it but was blocked, until this girl turns in our direction, and I instinctively say "sorry, I'm just wondering, are you from here, cause me and my friend were just wondering"... And then we start having a small conversation, and my friend kindly withdraws. The gorgeous blonde is really nice, and her dancing friends are glancing and giggling a bit. But after introducing ourselves and about one minute of talking I have no idea what to say or do, so I just say "Ok, glad we resolved the question of your nationality, nice meeting you". However stupid that was, the chance wasn't gone, because she was still dancing right next to us and she even looks at me and smiles... but for the next hour I just don't dare to approach her again. Not even when the place closed and we left. I felt so stupid this morning and thought of million of things to say or do. At least I could have asked for her number goddamnit. Everything was so well served for me with this girl and I still managed to fail! I can't accept being like this! Please help me be more successful in my second week!