Today's Mission

Today's mission was to walk up to ten women and compliment them in an hour. I only did eight.

Although this mission successfully got me out of my comfort zone, the women were not appreciative at large. I attribute this to two reasons:
1.) I didn't follow through with the interactions. I walked up and complimented them, shook their hand and walked away. This left women wondering who I was and why I was doing what I was doing. Had I stayed and continued the interaction with a "where are you from", I would have given her more time to warm up to me.
2.) Direct openers work best when completely sincere and genuine. Under the constraints of the mission of complimenting ten in one hour, I did not have the time to select quality woman truely deserving of a direct opener. I only had time to follow the three second rule and select women that I MIGHT want to get to know. Women could sense my mis-calibration.

For next time, I think I could consider one or some of these points.
1.) Really take time to find "that girl." When I do, she will feel my sincerity (like the girl at Aeropostale) because I will be a little nervous.
2.) If I use a direct opener, make sure to continue the interaction to put her mind at ease.
3.) When in doubt, go with an indirect opener.
4.) If I decide to repeat today's mission, it should be viewed a tool to get me out of my comfort zone.

Here is what I did today.
1.) At Barnes and Noble, an Indian woman opened me, asking if she saw any outlets. I told her she had great style. She smiled.
2.) I complimented an Asian woman's red shirt, again at BN. She didn't know exactly what to think. I had to reclarify.
3.) At Urban Outfitters I told a girl that she had great style. I recieved a neutral response.
4.) On the street I walked into the middle of a group and told a red head that I thought she was pretty. She gave me a neutral response and after I left the group laughed at me.
5.) At the Gap I complemented a girl's sun dress. She gave me a mild response but I made sure she shook my hand. Her handshake was like a fish. Before I left I introduced myself to her mother who gave me a positive response.
6.) On the street I told a woman that she looked very elegant sitting alone on that milk crate smoking a cigarette, and that if I had a camera I would take a picture. She gave me a warm response and told me her name. This was the most genuine approach of the day.
7.) At Anthropologie I told a girl who looked like she was in high school that I loved her yellow shirt. She did not shake my hand initially, and I had to convince her that it was ok.
8.) At Anthropologie I complimented a woman's necklace. Then I found out she was from Colombia.

Overall what kept me going was remembering that I was "on a mission," and not to take anything too seriously. The #4 street approach left me especially hurt when the group gefawed at me. After doing it a few more times I began to get into the groove of expecting anything, and if nothing else I was making a little mischief for shits and giggles.