Situational Openers

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I don't know man. They're situational, so you have to comment on something around you at the moment. These can't really be canned. Just say something that you noticed or that's going on around you.

Some examples -
Hey, did you see that guy carrying in the plant? He had a rip in his jeans.

Do you see that drunk girl in the corner making a fool of herself?

What's with the lighting, it's so dim. I bet they haven't been paying their electric bill lately.


but obviously these are only good in certain situations.

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I think he means does someone know where he can kind reading material on the best ways to create and use situational openers. What kinds of situational openers work the best. How does one go about being inspired by the world to notice them when they do exist, etc, etc.

People have written how-to guides about more abstract subjects.

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Juggler's ebook is a good reference. He has a lot of sample conversations. keep in mind, though, that he's a comedian.

I think the most effective situational openers are simple, not brilliant or clever. It's just an opener. If it's too clever or rehearsed, it could work against you.

For example, I field tested this one and it doesn't work. When you're at the supermarket and a girl is buying eggs, she'll open up the carton to see if any are broken. I walk up and say, "you're not counting those before they hatch, are you?... 'cause you're really not supposed to do that." Every time I tried this one, the girl laughed her ass off WHILE SHE WALKED AWAY. No hello, no introduction, nothing. (Coincidentally, I got the same reaction when I tried the "Dating for Dummies" opener at the book store.)

I think it's best to practice situational openers with everybody, especially non-HBs. Every time you see a person, whether it's a kid, an old man, or a security guard, scan the room for something worth commenting on and then just throw something out there. It's like anything else, the more you do it, the better you get at it.

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You can do this by observing body language of your target and her surroundings. Body language tells you an enormous amount about the state a person is in and about what they are thinking/considering. I personally have found this as really helpful in some cases for situational openers, and it works if you tend to be a people watcher like I am.

Case and point, I was at the mall about a month ago, and we have a place that is kinda a rip off of Cinnabon. Anyway, the mall was dead and the particular business was dead dead. The girl was sitting at the counter, drumming her fingers, with a very far look in her eyes. Like someone who would want to be any place else but where she was at.

After walking by and glancing over at her, I decided to open and I openned with a comment about her bordom, it was something very off hand and I do not remember exactly what I said. However, it started a quick conversation, I set a false time limit, and I got a number close.

The moral of the story is that body language is a huge percentage more communication than spoken language. If you can quickly interpret body language, then she will think your always in her head. This can be a very useful tool, but experience has taught me that you can do it to much and start creeping her out, or get bored with her.

Anyway, The body language books I own are:
The Definative Book on Body Langauge : Allen and Barbara Pease
Body Language Secrets : Don Steele

I am pretty sure they are still in print, and you can look them up. I like the one by Don Steele better because it has pictures. Just my two cents, maybe you should join me in improv class? Wish I could find one in this small town.

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I have a few go-to situational openers that have worked well for me and the situations they work well in.

When at a club or bar where music is playing and a super trendy, semi annoying song comes on(think lady gaga or the ice cream paint job song). If I see a girl that is obviously enjoying the song, I will ask. "Do you ever make up your own words to this song?" Girls will freak out and tell you about how they sing about cooking or doing dishes to this song. Then give a stupid but funny example of how you or your friend always says the wrong words to it too. It's usualy pretty fun/low-key and doesn't get the wrath of merciless blowout. It comes across pretty spontainious and truthfully it's a pretty safe bet because almost every girl I've ever known has made her own lyrics up to songs she likes.

Another one that has worked well is when you see a girl that is by herself and looks kinda like she is people-watching, make a comment or a question about someone nearby. i.e. "Did that guy look like a 70's drug dealer to you?" If she reacts positively or laughs you will be pretty locked in.

This isn't feild teasted but the other day this I saw this really pretty asian girl holding a shirt up in the mirror to see whether it would look good on her or not at Express. I was walking by her and said "That's cute but you shouldn't buy it." She smiled but didn't say anything so I just kept on walking thinking about how dumb what I just said was. A few minutes later she walked up to me with a different top in her hand and asked "What do you think of this one?" And boom! Next thing I know we are 10 minutes deep into a conversation and we exchanged numbers.

Another one. I was at Braums getting some ice cream and I saw a really attractive girl doing work on a huge sundae. I walked up to her and simply remarked "You had a tough week didn't you?" She said"Yea.. yes I did" I followed up with "Well its a good thing that ice cream can make everything better" Next thing I know she asked me to sit and eat my ice cream with her and we had a great conversation. This one didn't pan out because I closed kinda weak (gave her my card and said let's hang out again sometime instead of got her number), but the interaction was extremely solid. The opener is what got her. Kinda like you said it was like I read her mind, and she opened up really fast because of it.

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[QUOTE=grimm1111;37374]I'd like to improve my use of these. Tips? Can anyone recommend some good reading materials on the subject, perhaps?[/QUOTE]

Take an improv class. It builds the skill of feeding of the environment. Helped me a lot. In terms of reading material, I'd suggest "Impro" by Keith Johnstone - but it's about improv and isn't pickup related.

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