Substance

rugadd wrote: Not a sexual attraction, but yes. Someone who has caught your interest and you would like to have more experiences with them, but given the lack of said experience one is not quite sure how to go about it without displaying offensive traits to the person in question.

Make eye contact.

Ask them a question.

Thank them and give them a complement.

Introduce yourself.

Punt....your on your own now.

Which offensive traits? Can't you just tone those down some for the duration of the courtship?

It seems silly, now, but there are people whom I take to be wise and knowledgeable and I worry my lack of wisdom or knowledge would precipitate a desire not to speak with me at length. Also, views may contest and I desire their respect as well.


Of course, there I go desiring...

NEVER start with... "Pull my finger."

***

Semi seriously, we all tend to worry how we come across to others. Trying to 'put on a good face' can come across as disingenuous as pretending you are someone you are not... so, as most have stated -- eye contact, a polite "hello" and possibly followed by an introduction (( depending on the circumstances )) and then *BE YOURSELF*

rugadd wrote: It seems silly, now, but there are people whom I take to be wise and knowledgeable and I worry my lack of wisdom or knowledge would precipitate a desire not to speak with me at length. Also, views may contest and I desire their respect as well.


Of course, there I go desiring...

Be confident, value yourself more. If they don't want to speak to you so what. Don't worry about: wisdom, knowledge or respect. You are what you are, that's all you can be. Brush your teeth, smile and say hello.

Is it a women you want to speak to? A boss? A rich person? Why do you think they wouldn't speak to you. Are you shy?

When I was young I couldn't talk to people on the phone or sit by myself in a McDonalds.

Desolous wrote: Which offensive traits? Can't you just tone those down some for the duration of the courtship?

:woohoo: This reminded me of a line in the movie A Cinderella Story, where the evil step mother instructs her daughters "And remember, we hide our flaws till after the wedding!"