The description says it all. Am I to take this as a compliment? Or is this a neg? What could I have said to make things C&F? And am I supposed to neg the target back?

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"I've learned it's important not to limit yourself. You can do whatever you really love to do, no matter what it is." - Ryan Gosling

What would a confident man say to that?

"Thank you."

What is a C/F direction:

"And what is it about baby face's you like so much?"

Keep a strong frame and assume everything is a compliment.

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Field Reports (I also link my best posts within this FR and personal Routines)

Frame Stacking for Attraction

It's a minor indication of interest. It shows she is seeing you from the view of the male-female dynamic and she is assessing your appearance. The fact that she is telling you what she thinks (if she is saying what she is truly thinking) can be an unconscious request for interaction - for you to show that behind that baby face is a real man.

If you can show you have the nurturing look with a strong man interior, you have a good combination there. What she doesn't want is a baby faced man with baby like behaviour.

Based on what I've pointed out above, it can be seen as a test to check if you are man enough behind your youthful exterior.

I'd give back some playful response e.g. baby? Hey, I'm not ready to be your baby just yet...these things take time. You are kind of cute but one can't rush into these things.

Be non-reactionary. Like the other guy said, it's an ioi of sorts, and beyond that, an observational statement. Sometimes people will comment on your appearance whether it's good, bad, or neutral. You just have to take it in stride.

The only thing I might suggest would be to parlay those types of comments into something DHV related. Like "Yea, woman are ALWAYS telling me that!" Give her the impression that you talk to lots of women and they also think the same thing.

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“Nothing is impossible, the word itself says 'I'm possible'!” ~Audrey Hepburn

I always go C/F or unreactive, I love the idea of using a DHV & C/F hybrid like you suggest. The C/F as a transition into a DHV story. Real gem.

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Field Reports (I also link my best posts within this FR and personal Routines)

Frame Stacking for Attraction