Hey everyone,

Last night was my first time trying Opening. I went in with the goal of just opening sets. Get numbers if I could, but really just talk to people. Overall, I think I did okay.

I went to two places (for those of you that know Houston): Taps, and Rebels. At taps, I used one or two of Mystery's openers - the "sister's getting a tattoo" bit, and the "fight outside" bit. I was able to get into conversation pretty easily there, and keep it going pretty well. I didn't get any phone numbers, and frankly wasn't really getting enough IOI's to get to A3 - but hey, I got some sets open...that's a start. Unfortunately, most of the groups I got in to had some relation to people I was there with (even though I wasn't aware of it at the time), so I didn't exactly get that "clean fresh start" from nothing, I guess. I need to start working on how to progress, or else I'm just going to be making a lot of friends in the future.....

I pretty much failed at Rebels. I don't really like that place to begin with - and by the time we were there, it was 1:30 AM - so pretty much everyone had paired off already, and sets were hard to identify. I tried the "let me get your opinion on something" opener on two girls at the bar, and frankly, I may have been a little too energetic about it - they completely ignored me, so I just walked away. At that point it was about 1:45, and I was tired of trying to look for sets I could break into, so I just enjoyed watching people dance while finishing off my beer. at 2, the dance hall closed.

So to summarize: Got some sets open at Location 1, but couldn't get to the point where I could isolate someone. Didn't get anything at Location 2 - probably won't go back there, as it's not really my scene.

For next time, I'm going to try a few new things:
1) Ditch the "let me get your opinion' openers. They're fine, but I feel awkward using them.
2) Go out earlier - don't wait till near the end of the night so my chances are better (especially as a newb)
3) Play it cool. I remember getting a bit too animated and leaning in - that's a good way to freak them out or get friendzoned.

Any tips, comments, or questions I can answer would be awesome! Looking forward to making some serious improvements and having some fun!

man just open who cares rejection thats how you learn mate go for it

Best bet always lay an opener no matter what it is... I have gone to loud clubs and realized holding ur ground and body rocking while opening even if the set is moving will eventually have the set come back and listen to what you have to say. Especially in a club. I was in niagra falls this weekend and club was extremly loud, i couldnt even talk to my friends. I yelled to this set of 5 girls and stood my ground didnt move or face them. After 4 seconds of them moving away from me the 2 girls pretty much turned and pecked near my ear to hear what i had to say. I used an opinion opener and got into the set. I am new to this also and experiment but i realized that just standing ur ground shows u have balls and that you dont take no for an answer. Dont ever lean in its the worst thing u can do and always body rock as if ur leaving this helps trust me. Practice in the mirror with ur openers and watch facial expressions as well any akward movements u wont realize (I notice my hands elevate way to high as I talk). Be calm and think as if this was last 30 seconds of ur life and u had one shot or else u will die, then go into the set with no fear. Best advice yet good luck!