Claire's girl

Dear Brenda,

There is a particular girl who either works at Claire's or just hangs out there all day. It might seem unfair to even bother with her, because the only thing that got my attention is that she comes off as a replica of someone I've liked before. Claire's a fuzzy pink things girly-girl store. No self-respecting dude allows himself to be seen in there, so it'll be dead obvious I'm trying to pick her up if I went inside.

Because the town in question is at least an hour away (I had to drive the extra distance to find a first rate Alpine cd changer) I feel up to the challenge of risk taking, and really don't care what happens this point forth. It's not exactly somewhere I'm known.

Suggestions?

Is there any way I can possibly communicate my interest in her in a nonverbal manner just to see what her reaction is? Should I not waste my gas, rather, spend the saved money on something more important (i.e. mechanical project)? I'm going in with the mindset of simply finding someone to hang out with, so I stop wasting money on arcade games and have something to look forward to every day.
- downquark

Dear downquark,

Communicate to her in a non-verbal manner? Don't be such a scaredy kat.

Just go in there, browse for a few minutes, look really confused, then walk over to her (if she hasn't approached you yet), smile, then say something like "Hi. You know, I like that top/hat/belt you're wearing. You have a good sense of style. Do you think you could help me pick out something for my little sister/cousin? Her birthday's coming up, and I just want to get her something fun, but I have no idea what she'd like."

(you want to compliment something she's wearing)
(don't tell her that you have a little sister if you really don't. Pick a young female relative who exists in real life.)

Then, continue the conversation as you shop and get to know her. Then, step into Plan B: You could look at something and pretend that it reminds you of a movie you want to see that's coming up.

Example:

You touch a pink feather boa as you're walking through the store with her, and you say something like: "I wonder if they're going to wear anything like this in the new Dawn of the Dead movie. That would be hilarious. And weird."

Her: "Ha! I can't wait to see that film. It looks so scary."

You: "Yeah? You don't say. You know, it's impressive to find a woman who can truly appreciate a decent zombie film. Your type is rare."

(another sincere and original compliment)

Her: "I love that kind of movie."

You: "Well.... You might need some protection when you see it. You look like the type who would fall apart during the first scary scene...run out of the theater screaming."

Her: <Laughing> "I would not!"

You: "Uh huh. Okay, prove it. Let's go see it when it comes out."

(say it as a statement, don't ask to see it)

You'll either get:

Her: "Sure, that sounds cool." or "Well, can I bring my boyfriend with us?"

But you'll feel better having asked. Then, on your one week anniversary, you can give her the thing she sold you (all wrapped up) and confess that you just really wanted to meet her, and you apologize for the devious plan. She should be well flattered by that.

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