The scenario:
Grand Hyatt Boston, Ballroom C. Close to 300 people. The second day of a 3-day seminar on "Unleashing
Personal Power and Fresh, Minty Breath." She's one row over, brunette, late 20s, short flowered skirt. Name tag:
Tanya. When she's not taking extensive notes, she's sucking seductively on an Altoid. On her left ankle is a small
tattoo, perhaps of a balloon or the severed head of Mario Lanza. The final break is in 10 minutes. Let's meet this
month's contestants and see exactly what they do:
JEFFERY LINDENMUTH
Age: 29
Height: 5'11''
Weight: 160
Job: writer for www.drinks.com
Status: single
Hobbies: gourmet food, motorcycles
Approach: walks over with a smile during break; is polite, not pushy; won't climb over chairs to get to her
Opening line: "Hi. I ate those crab thingies over there, and I saw you have some Altoids. Can you spare one?"
Follow-up: "Thank you, Tanya, I'm Jeffery. Do you like the seminar?"
Body language: considerable eye contact, inquisitive smile, rapt attention, no touching; won't scoop snacks into his
briefcase in front of her.
Personal info shared: none; the focus is entirely on her
Personal info asked: "Have you been here before? Where are you from?"
Proposition: "I'm here alone, and I know a great place nearby for drinks and food. Care to join me later?"
Emergency maneuver: "What do you do for a living?" This will prompt her to ask him the same question, to which he'll
reply: "I drink for a living." This always gets their attention.
FRANK STARNER
Age: 38
Height: 6'1''
Weight: 195
Job: business-development manager
Status: single
Hobbies: dogs, skiing, fishing
Approach: picking up women isn't his style, so he's nervous; walks over and tries to make a joke—a feeble joke
Opening line: "Hi, I'm Frank Starner, president of the Well-Balanced People's Association. And you are?"
Follow-up: "At our next meeting, Anthony Robbins is going to speak. Would you like to attend as my guest?"
Body language: handshake, respect for her space, eye contact, big smile
Personal info shared: none; the focus is entirely on her
Personal info asked: "What do you do? What prompted you to attend this seminar? How long have you been focusing on a
well-balanced lifestyle?"
Proposition: "If you have some time later, I'd like to discuss the details of the Robbins lecture with you."
Emergency maneuver: "Look, I admit I'm not very good at this. I just found you very attractive and wanted the
opportunity to introduce myself."
HAGEN DANISH
Age: 40
Height: 6'
Weight: 180
Job: casino supervisor
Status: married 15 years
Hobbies: bonsai gardening, fishing, surviving a midlife crisis (which explains the bonsai gardening)
Approach: confident that he understands women; removes ring; gets her to notice him by taking even more notes; nods
intently at her; approaches later during break
Opening line: "Are you enjoying the conference as much as I am?"
Follow-up: agree completely with whatever she says (because that's the first step to getting anywhere)
Body language: handshake, jaunty and eccentric air, a bon vivant
Personal info shared: only mutual interests at seminar ("nice podium")
Personal info asked: "Where do you work? Ever been to Boston before?"
Proposition: "I've been dining alone these past few nights. Would you like to get out of here and eat some sushi? We
could compare notes."
Emergency maneuver: "I'm not into sushi either. Let's see the town."
