Central Michigan Life

Issue date: 10/24/07 Section: Lifeline

Media Credit: John Ehlke "I don't have the intention of picking up girls when I go to the bars, but sometimes it just happens," said the pick up artist known as Fast Track. The man of the methods got some of his games from many books such as "The Game," written by Neil Strauss. Fast Track began his journey eight months ago and started reading pick up books this past summer. [Click to enlarge]

Media Credit: John Ehlke "I had no idea there would be diagrams," said the pick up artist known as Fast Track as he looks over the diagram for success in the book "The Mystery Method," written by Chris Odom. After a tough break up with his ex-girlfriend, Fast Track found help with picking up women in various books that give technique, tips and pointers to finding a lady. [Click to enlarge]

There's a reason this guy keeps a stick of gum in his front shirt pocket.

It's in case he needs it.

The unassuming Brighton senior slings a black blazer over his green T-shirt. He's got short blond hair and a shorter goatee.

He doesn't look like a man who's trained himself to talk to and, possibly, pick up women.

"I never thought I could just go up to people in a bar and strike up a conversation," said Fast Track, using the moniker assigned to him by other members of the online community of "PUAs," or guys learning and practicing "the game."

"It's been a big self-confidence booster. ... I feel like it's made me a better person."

Fast Track uses the tips and techniques found in the books "The Game" by Neil Strauss and "The Mystery Method," which teach frustrated guys how to meet, talk to and even date beautiful women.

The techniques concentrate on understanding body language and nonverbal communication, Fast Track says - the goal isn't to pick someone up, necessarily, but is a lot more simple than that.

"It's just about reading people. The best way to make a girl feel comfortable around you is just to not make her feel uncomfortable," he said.

Above the competition

The tools and techniques Fast Track uses for approaching and conversing with people are surprisingly complicated.

There's the three-second rule, which says a guy has to approach a girl he's interested in within three seconds of seeing her, so as not to seem creepy.

And there's the time constraint rule, which says a guy should open with a question but always include a time constraint - such as, "I want your opinion, but I have to be getting back to my friends."

And that stick of gum - that's a "prop," and it's kept on-hand in case Fast Track needs it as a conversation starter.

All of it is arrayed toward getting into conversations and making people - mostly women - comfortable around Fast Track so he can concentrate on being interesting or attractive.

Lesley Withers, assistant communication and dramatic arts professor, said there are a lot of nonverbal cues people use to show they are receptive to conversations.

"There are things called 'immediacy behaviors' that indicate our willingness to interact," Withers said.

Employers often look for people who have nonverbal communication skills, she said. Often those skills are at a premium, Withers said, because it's always easier to do business with people who are put at ease while one communicates with them.

Those factors are a combination of space, gaze and touch, she says. People who stand close or lean in, who make eye contact and who touch the other person's arm or shoulder, for example, are communicating they're receptive to a conversation.

"Anything that is going to make people feel comfortable helps to open the door, and then it sounds like he (Fast Track) does his homework so he's ready once the door is open," Withers said.



Confidence on the rise

Three months ago, Fast Track was a completely different person than he is today, he says.

"I dated this girl for about three years. That was almost a year ago now, but it took me a long time to get over her," Fast Track said. "A friend of mine who'd been reading 'The Game' said to me, 'Sounds like you have "one-itis."' He told me about the book and I got really interested in it."

Fast Track says he first started getting into the idea of pick up as a means of getting over his ex.

"Ever since I did this, I haven't been thinking about her as much," he said.

Adam Love, a Grand Valley State University student and one of Fast Track's best friends, said the change in his friend has been positive.

Love said Fast Track has had a lot more success with women, but he doesn't think his friend is out just looking for "action."

"I really don't want to paint him in a picture of a guy just going out to score - that's not what he's about," Love said. "He had blinders on because of his (long-term) relationships. I think it's good for him to see what's out there."



An underhanded

approach?

But not everyone sees the game and PUAs as nice guys who build their own self-confidence by starting up conversations.

Jocelyn Menestrina, a Bellaire junior and friend of Fast Track's, said she doesn't agree with what he does.

"As far as he speaks of the whole issue, it's a confidence-builder," she said. "My retaliation to that is you don't need to build confidence by using women as pawns in your social game."

Fast Track said he has run into people who ask him if he feels like he manipulates people.

He said he tries to be as honest with the people he talks to as possible - in fact, honesty is encouraged by those who teach about the game.

It's not about manipulation, Fast Track said, but about reading people's reactions. He finds himself in situations he never would have had the guts to get in before he started pick up, he said.

"I never feel bad. I don't see it as (manipulation)," Fast Track said. "I don't feel bad about it, but sometimes I'm more surprised that I'm doing it. I learned a bunch of tools that help me socially acclimate myself. It's something that makes me more attractive - not necessarily sexually."



Top of the game

Fast Track said he'd recommend reading "The Game" to anyone.

"My self-confidence went through the roof just from reading it," he said. "It was a total transformation."

The experience, and just practicing talking to people he doesn't know in different situations, has completely changed his life.

The book and the ability to talk to anyone can give a man confidence in himself, Fast Track said.

"A lot of guys have a hard time. No guy should feel inferior, unless he really is," he said.



lifeline@cm-life.com

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