Hey guys. I just finished watching the pickup artist season 1 and season 2 about guys who learned under Mystery until one became "The Master Pick-Up Artist" Despite the plethora of bull-shit reality tv incites, i actually pretty like because the transformation of the guys were so apparent even if the pick-ups were staged, which i doubt, their mentalities truly grew through the season which added to the validity of the show for me. At the very least, it is inspiration that if you put your mind to it, you can get this area of your life handled to the point where it simple meshes into a part of you.

My question arises from the teaching methods of Mystery. I understand that most of that information is outdated but why is pick-up now any different than back then? Its not like girls all changed after the 2 seasons of The Pick Up Artist. My main questions are

1) Why do most people emphasize direct openers? The indirect opener served the function to come under the radar so you can subtly hit on the girl without her initially realizing that and immediately blowing you out. Is that valid? With Mystery's mentality won't approaching an extremely gorgeous girl commenting on her beauty categorize yourself with all the other guys who use the same method but lack game?

2) In terms of opening, he emphasized approaching over the shoulder so as not too seem threatening to the group as if you were delivering a passive comment. Why is this not emphasized anymore is it merely stupid but if so why did it produce such profound results for the students?

3) Also body-rocking in the opener. Aside from looking like your suffering from a physical fit of turrets. Is this still valid? Are you supposed to body-rock while talking and if not why was that initally taught?

Thats pretty much all i had to ask. If anyone has any comments about the show itself, or about outdated techniques that help would be appreciated. And though it suffers from a lack of evolution if you haven't seen the show i highly recommend you do. If not too learn anything, its simply a method to realized that as bad as you think you may have it may it be looks, height, confidence there are people alot worse who evolved into something you want to be!

Thanks for any help in advance and look forward to the exchange of ideas.

The problem isn't necessarily with the advice, it's the rigidity with which it's applied. I'm sure I saw one episode where someone opened over the shoulder, only to have the woman walk off and not notice!!!

The whole 'opening over the shoulder' is actually valid; my uncle used to open that way in clubs. He said 'That way, if she rejects you, it looks like you were just asking her where the bar is!' It also makes sense given Mystery's size. At over 6 and 1/2 foot, your average woman might feel intimidated if you face her head-on and are too forward. So Mystery found that putting his shoulder between them helped to relax the women.

I'm not going into the whole 'direct / indirect' debate. Both have their place. But Mystery Method is tied into Mystery himself. He's a magician and entertainer, so memorising stories that show him in a positive light, or winning over groups of people without kissing the butt of the person he really wants to talk to, is part of earning a living as a professional. He's charismatic, so naturally people are going to believe him when he teaches.

But unfortunately, how much success is down to his method, and how much was down to other factors. Mystery is tall, dresses like a rock star, has money (lived in a mansion!), has showbiz connections because of Strauss, and is charismatic. The sort of girls he likes are going to be attracted to him. I've shown his picture to rock chicks, and they've almost always said 'He's kinda cute!' so he's not as weird-looking as he likes to make out!

http://www.practicalpickup.com/thoughts-...-up-artist

I enjoyed watching the show purely for the entertainment value. Found myself rooting for some of the guys, too. But some of those rejection were so painful I had to look away.

The show is to a large extent staged - Kosmo, the guy who won, is an actor.

In terms of using indirect openers to distinguish youself - nobody opens direct. They drunkenly hit on girls, but that's not the same thing. Plenty of guys open indirect, and women can completely see through it. If you are talking to a girl in a bar, she knows you want to get in her pants.

If you want to try this stuff, go out, try approaching over the shoulder, using opinion openers, see how it goes for you.

Kosmo is an actor, really? Damn. I almost liked him as much as Thesbian or whatever his name was from Season 2.

I've used the 'approach over the shoulder' technique successfully, but is that really all we gained from this show? lol

Approaching over the shoulder is so fucken retarded. It really makes no difference as long as you don't do "the creep".

I like that it conveys an element of nonchalance. As if you're starting the converastion very off-hand.

(06-15-2011 06:07 PM)Mark Wrote:  http://www.practicalpickup.com/thoughts-...-up-artist

Wow i can't believe i've never seen this article. But great points though. But aside from mentioning the fact that his thoughts were outdated and sound ridiculous in this day & age, i wish you had gone more into the specifics of what exactly made it outdated and what is the conventional wisdom this day & age. Regardless, great post.

(06-17-2011 03:52 AM)DaveyDrama Wrote:  I like that it conveys an element of nonchalance. As if you're starting the converastion very off-hand.

I initially agreed with that, but i feel that it might just be a method to save face in front of others. If you get rejected then you can walk away and others don't see that you got humiliated. But chicks already know why your talking to them in the nighttime so its utility seems somewhat useless. Its not like a group of guys go " Hey, we should go to the club i totally want to ask a girl her female opinion."