"I like salad"

[Vector]

They say that 93% of communication is nonverbal (combination of BL and tone of voice), and the other 7% is the words you say. I agree with this in general but I think for opening it's more like 99% / 1%.

Tonight El Fenix and I experimented with "I like salad". The idea originally came from Sinn's or Savoy's blog I think, I don't remember exactly.

First we had to think of a grounding story. We decided on a back-story that goes like this: I like salad and my guy friends give me shit about it. But I don't care, and I know there's nothing wrong with liking salad. I do what I want (I wouldn't say this, but this is the attitude I want to subcommunicate).

Vector: Hey. [ tap on shoulder, she turns ] I like salad.
Girl: ...

At this point sometimes they say "cool, me too" or something similar. Sometimes they pause for a while. I can tell they're trying to figure me out. They look at me expressionless, while I maintain eye contact and look friendly-but-serious as if I had asked them a serious question and I expect an answer. And eventually they'll come out with "yeah, i like salad too".

Vector: Okay, see now my guy friends have always given me shit about liking salad, but I keep telling them cool people like salad [ hold up hand for high-five ]
Girl: yeah, totally [ high-five ]

These are not exact words but it's more or less how it went each time. We opened several sets with it, taking turns as to who was the salad-lover and who was the one making fun of the salad-lover. It's really a fun opener because it's so silly.

And it's also great because when you use it a couple times successfully it really builds momentum, at least for me. If I can open with salad, it gives me confidence that I can open with anything.

One set we opened with "i like salad" but I didn't transition properly, so when the opener ran its course, I went back to talking to El Fenix and the girls went back to talking to each other. I'd rather let the conversation die and demonstrate disinterest than cling to a dead thread. A minute or two later she re-engages me with "so... what do you like on your salad?" I said something, grilled chicken I think, but inside I was laughing my ass off. Who knew salad could be so fascinating!

I'm convinced. Opening is 99% nonverbal, 1% is the words.

[El Fenix]

We were laughing so hard last night at the thought of doing this, we thought "what the hell, why not?"

The first time we did it, I had no idea what would happen. It was too great of an idea not to though.
There's several girls who like Raspberry vinagrette on their spinach salad. I know because they told us.
In fact, that could be a part of a day2 plan. Meeting up for a salad the next day or something. Of course whatever you claimed to like the night before, youd have to actually eat. And like it. Because you LIKE salad.

I heard that Juggler claimed that you could open with nearly anything, as long as you do it right. Tonality, and body language communicate a lot more than people realize.

I was very uncomfortable in bars when I was in college trying to meet girls. My idea was, "what on earth do you talk to girls about in a bar?" I couldnt make the transition. Now I know what I was missing: salad!

[holyskeleton]

^nice one.

[Sayber]

I like to play with ideas, just to entertain myself. Sometimes it leads to sex. Sometimes with a partner.

I went to Pappadeaux's. Girls were eating at the bar. I walk behind them, eyeing their plates. They said "can I help you"?

I said, well lot's of guys pick girls out they are interested based on different preferences. Some like a beautiful woman. Some like a great body. Me, I like a woman who leaves food on her plate. After we eat, if she is the kind that leaves food on her plate, I get to clean up. This is an important thing for me. I love great food and sharing food is a real turn on for me. Just leave me a pork chop with a bone in it and I am in hog heaven.

These girls didn't know what to do. I was toying with them. They said, you are never going to pick up a girl with a line like that. So I said, what makes you think I am trying to pick you two up, I just want a great pork chop.

They finally meet a guy who wasn't looking for sex and they blew it. Chicks!

[Finesse]

Sometimes it leads to sex. Sometimes with a partner.

Disturbing.

[Kraven]

What's up Vector,

I think that was Tyler D opening with "salad".

He also recommended opening with animal noises - WTF - but that's the one I tried a few times. I guess it is the current no-routine philosophy of RSD - open with what you want, because your body language and non-verbals should be able to carry you through anyway.

Several weeks ago on a couple of occasions at Blackfinn, I was opening with moo-ing sounds.

The first time a cute 3-set of 9s standing in a circle - smiled at first but then my target said "hey - he's calling us cows!". HBs can be so reactionary. I kept mooing anyway and later just chatted a little before ejecting.

The second time I ran into her again, this allowed me to AMOG the guy kino-ing her from behind. I remembered her name and started moo-ing. He just left when he saw how excited she was to recognize me from last time. No close but interesting results.

[Finesse]

hahahhahahhaha thats the funniest thing i have ever heard.... i gotta play with that.

[Vector]

What's up Vector,

I think that was Tyler D opening with "salad".

He also recommended opening with animal noises - WTF...

Dude, we have definitely got to hang out. I am out of town until next week, but PM me your phone #.

[Welsh_Dragon]

I'm in for hanging out next weekend.