PS3 Informer

Your Gamer's FAQ v1.0 on "How To Pick-Up Girls"

Can you feel it? Love is in the air. With Valentine's Day coming up fast, gamers need to get their act together if they want to score points with the opposite sex. It's a good time of year to approach that girl you've been talking to. But it's up to you to seize the moment to get to know her better. Before you rush headlong to invite her over for a session of Left 4 Dead, consider these tips; and then, maybe you can score a date.

So you see someone you like in class and you're wondering how to ask her out. First ask yourself, how well do you know this person -- and vice versa? If she doesn't even know your name, it's time to introduce yourself.

1) When you first approach a girl, don't talk about how big your... game collection is. Instead focus on something simple, like a shared interest. Pay attention and get to know her first as a friend and find out what she likes to do. It's a bad idea to ask a girl out who doesn't even know who you are. You'll just come across as a creepy nerd.

2) Be friendly but don't settle into being friends. It's hard to move out of friend territory once you're there.

3) Show interest beyond just being friends. Be assertive but don't be pushy. The slightest hint of desperation is a one-hit kill and knocks your health points down to zero. You want to flirt and drop hints, but still keep her guessing about your level of interest. Remember, you're trying to test the vibe as much as she is. Once you get the idea of possibly hooking up into her head, it becomes a powerful tool to get her thinking about you. That is how you spark her interest. A girl likes to be chased, but only if she wants you to.

4) Take your time when you first meet. Talk to her a little at lunch or when you pass her by in the hallway. Keep it brisk. Don't hover. Don't linger. Talk about something that's happened in class or ask her about her plans for the weekend. Refrain from immediately asking her out. Even if the conversation is good, talk to her for at most five minutes and move on. You want to leave her wanting to continue this some other time. If you feel silence creeping up, eject right away. You don't want this to become awkward for either of you.

5) As she becomes more comfortable with you, it's more likely she'll open up and accept an invitation for drinks or snacks. Before you ask her on a real date though, test her interest in you. The worst thing is misreading friendliness as interest. You'll get shot down quicker than in a multiplayer session of Gears. Look for signs. If she's into you, she may sound breathy or nervous when she talks to you. Her eyes will be dilated. Her face will light up when she sees you. She'll throw you hints like tossing her hair or smiling profusely.

Compliment her when you catch her looking cute though. When you have her blushing, you know you've got her. If she's into you, she'll laugh at even your dumbest jokes. But if she keeps looking around you and seems like she's in a hurry all the time, that's a big honking sign of "Leave me alone." If she can't concentrate on what you're saying and interrupts you to talk to her friends, it's time to bail. But keep it real, be friendly and say goodbye.

6) So you know she's interested. Now what? Be prepared and have a game plan when you ask her out. Have a good idea of where to go, what to do, and where to eat, but be open to adapt to what she wants. No one likes a selfish jerk. You may think girls like jerks, but it's actually self-confidence that they respect. In the end, you gotta have heart. If she likes you, she's not going to sweat you on the details. She's just glad you finally asked her out. Besides, you want to show her you're the man, not a man-child.

7) Be on your best behavior and present your best impression. Be respectful of her. That means showering, grooming, and wearing something that looks good but you feel relaxed in. Don't be late. Make sure your breath is fresh. Bring some mints or gum. It's okay to be nervous. She is too. Just have fun.

Remember, the cardinal rule to expect is: Guy always pays, or at least while you're still getting to know each other. Most girls appreciate it, some don't. Be smart. Be flexible. But don't be a chump.

8) For your first date, go somewhere you can get close to her. Have an excuse to touch her by showing her how to bowl or hold the cue stick. Or wrap your arms around her to show her how to move her video game character at an arcade. If she's feeling it, she'll let you into her personal space. The point is to get her used to the idea of you being within kissing distance of her. Soon she'll be initiating the contact and wanting you to kiss her.

9) Over lunch or dinner, you can get into more meaningful conversation. Your five-minute chats have been leading up to this. Talk a little about yourself. Don't scare her off by focusing on your video gaming habits or how many hours you've spent on WOW last week. Be yourself but let her know that there other things in life that inspire you aside from games.

Don't tell her your life's story. There's plenty of time later when you've gotten to know each other better. Also, it'll have more meaning then. She may say she does, but who really wants to hear you talk about your summer in Florida at Grandma's and how it changed your life? Again, be brief. A girl hates a guy who's self-absorbed. Let her do most of the talking. The less you say and the more you listen, the more she realizes you are really interested in learning about her.

10) At the end of the date, drive her home and walk her to her door. Making sure she gets home safely wins you huge points. If she refuses your offer, the date probably didn't go so well and she's cluing you in. Text her good night. Call her back in a few to find out. If she's up for it, she'll go out again. If not, chalk it up to experience and move on.

[Picture Source: Flickr]