[Hetty_Fauxvert]

Shut the F&%K up! Stop talking. Let her talk and keep your mouth shut until she invites you to say something. Say it quick, make sure whatever you say is about her; preferably a question about her, then shut up again until the next time she stops talking long enough for you to say something else about her.

Pukin' Dog is 99% right. I'm a member of Mensa, and have had the privilege of being hit on by lots of card-carrying smart men, and watching other women being hit upon by the same. The number one mistake they make is in fact a social mistake, which is that they think if they talk about themselves nonstop, it will fascinate the woman and show her their manly prowess.

The tiny part that PD does not have right is the fact that the conversation should NOT be 100% about the woman, since that too is a tip-off that you're following a formula. Just hold a conversation, a reasonably normal conversation, about subjects the woman seems to be *interested* in. (Which may or may not be herself and her life.) I met the man who became my husband (14 years now!) at a Mensa party, and we talked for most of the evening about Heinlein's novels -- a subject we were *both* interested in. Then he followed up at the end of the evening by actually asking me out. Slam dunk!

[supercat]

Just hold a conversation, a reasonably normal conversation, about subjects the woman seems to be *interested* in.

My first date with my wife was at a Barnes and Noble. We just sat around drinking soda and talking. And talking. And talking. From 7:00pm to 11:00pm. At the end of the evening, I had no particular romantic interest in that woman, but just had to get together to continue our conversation.

[HitmanLV]

Well, I also advise men of a sure-fire way to nab a southwestern hottie for the night - be sure and sing 'Deep in the Heart of Texas' at the Kareoke portion of the eve at the Piano Bar at Harrahs on the Las Vegas strip. ;-)

The stars at night are big and bright
Deep in the heart of Texas!
The prairie sky is wide and high
Deep in the heart of Texas!
The sage in bloom is like perfume
Deep in the heart of Texas!
Reminds me of the one that I love
Deep in the heart of Texas!

The coyotes wail along the trail
Deep in the heart of Texas!
The rabbits rush around the brush
Deep in the heart of Texas!
The cowboys cry, "Ki yippee yi!"
Deep in the heart of Texas!
The dogies bawl and bawl and bawl
Deep in the heart of Texas!!!

The second part is my favorite (especially "Ki yippee yi!"), but tends to be downplayed in favor of the more high-profile first part of the song! ;-)