THE REAL MAGAZINE SPRING ISSUE | Page 22

#HESAYS # HESAYS SMOOTH OPERATOR? YES! It’s that time of the year. The sun is creeping higher; the temperature is heating up and the shorts, skirts, dresses and crop tops are getting shorter. The single guys’ favourite season. That is, if you happen to be one of those charming smooth talkers who easily round up a bevy of beauties whenever they wish. For the rest of us…it’s not usually so easy. But we’re about to change that. The game is afoot gentleman. The battle lines have been drawn. Men vs. Women, and we’re out for victory. First off, we need to get our ducks in a row. Our game plan starts with the first impression. When the opponent sees us, they need to be in awe. If we catch them off guard we’re in for an easier battle. The best way to do this, gentlemen, is to take care of ourselves. This means being on top of our grooming. Hairstyles need to be polished. Those rocking facial hair need to make sure they keep it sleek. There’s a strange power in a sharply angled beard with clean lines. Spring time is fashion time so it behoves all of us to keep abreast with whatever is trendy. Colours and cuts come and go but even the fashionably challenged, myself included, can survive with a few basic principles. Make sure the clothes are clean. Make sure they fit well, be it a suit or a t-shirt. Ensure colours are complimentary. Grooming extends to the hands too. Ladies have a keen eye and they connect the visuals of wellgroomed hands to the potential those hands represent. Think about it. Also, make sure you smell good. A spritz of cologne does wonders. Once we have our threads on par, we can make the plunge. It’s time to step up and meet our match. Be prepared, they are likely to have pulled out all the stops too. Their clothes are going to compel us, their hair will be immaculate and the makeup will mesmerize. They are going to look good. Definitely. But don’t lose your head! It’s all a part of the game and the weakest of us are the ones who lose their minds at the sight of a beauty. I know it often seems like simply submitting to our attraction and running after the ladies like wild dogs is the easiest option. It also appears that many guys who do submit get their fair share of attention from the ladies, but believe me, they are not the real winners.Those who survive the first attack can take a step back and plan their moves. We need to follow up on our first impressions. This means initiating contact. Here’s where we make ourselves stand out. By not being the type to easily submit, we’ve set ourselves apart. Now a simple introduction is all we need. Respect is key, as it is so often overlooked in modern times. Do not go in all guns blazing. No girl has ever been swooned by the line: “Hey beautiful, lemme taste them chops”. Okay no one actually says that, but you get the picture. A much more effective strategy is: “Hey, nice to meet you, I’m X and I just wanted to let you know that you look amazing”. 23