So You Say You Want a Revolution: Week 5, Period 3

[tricksy-spy.livejournal.com]

"Three days until Parents' Weekend, and most of you are still here? I'm impressed," Aly said teasingly. "Those of you who are new, don't worry. No one's died as a result of parental or other visitors. Embarrassment, I can't help you with. What I can do is-"well, technically she was going to probably start the embarrassment early, but whatever "- possibly give you some pointers on handling not just this weekend, but every time you need to establish a quick rapport with another person whether you need them as a contact or ally for your movement or just because you want your girlfriend's mom to like you.

She flipped the whiteboard around to reveal the writing on it.


11 Ways to Start Off on the Right Foot, or a Guide to Flirting.
1. Remain Still and Composed
2. Smile genuinely
3. Maintain as much eye contact as you can tolerate
4. Employ the same body language you would use with an old friend
5. Your opening statement is crucial
6. Assess then focus on the other person's interests
7. Mirror body language and echo speech patterns
8. Plan in advance what you're going to say about yourself
9. Be prepared for likely topics
10. Maintain unshakable confidence no matter what
11. Work the silences

Returning her gaze to the class, Aly gestured to the board. "Everyone likes an easy tip sheet, right? Here you are then, eleven ways you can start to build trust and establish rapport with a new contact." She winked. "Or a new interest. In all honesty, you can look at this type of conversation as flirting without sexual intent. What is flirting other than initiating contact and expressing interest in another person? You want to appear interesting, sincere, confident enough for the other person to think you're worth continuing the conversation with."

She looked back at the board. "Some of these are rather obvious. 'Smile genuinely.' I'm sure you've all met someone who just pulled his teeth back from his lips and called that a smile. It's not and it won't inspire warm feelings or even a smile in return. 'Your opening statement is crucial.' It's all the other person has to reply to, and when you're making contacts or flirting, you don't want to force the burden of the conversation on the other person. So don't box yourself in. Don't say 'wow, sure is hot in here.' What if the other person likes the heat? Ask them what they think and move on from there. Everyone likes talking about him or herself so find out their interests and focus your attention there."

Aly paused then rolled her eyes slightly. "But not to the exclusion of talking about yourself. Don't dodge questions. It's obvious and from a technical standpoint, anyone smart enough to be your agent is smart enough to notice. I realise that sort of thing looks really good in the spy films or novels, but it just doesn't generally work. Give the person a reason to keep talking to you, give them a reason to share information about themselves. That's why you're planning what you want to say in advance."

"So, any questions about this, how you'd use it, why you'd use it, anything?" She asked, gazing around the room, meeting each student's eyes. Once any questions were answered, Aly continued. "Your assignment today is twofold - one, I want you all to pair up and flirt - or establish a rapport if that's easier to think about or your girlfriend is in the class - with someone. If you don't know them very well, that's a bonus." She glanced over the class. "The second part is to keep these ideas in mind throughout the weekend and try to consciously use them as you meet some of our visitors. Be ready to report back on how it worked next Wednesday."

She waved to dismiss them into the activity then called everyone's attention back to her. "One last thing. If there's anything you want to be sure I mention - or don't mention - to your visitors, feel free to let me know. I look forward to meeting everyone's family and friends, and I'd rather not let any cats out of the bag."

Comments

Sign In [Rev 9-29]

[tricksy-spy.livejournal.com]

With a flirty icon!

Re: Sign In [Rev 9-29]

[onlymistaken]

Cally

Re: Sign In [Rev 9-29]

[intraspective]

Yamanaka Ino

Lecture, Note-Taking, Ask Questions! [Rev 9-29]

[tricksy-spy.livejournal.com]

Do that voodoo that you do so well.

Re: Lecture, Note-Taking, Ask Questions! [Rev 9-29]

[glacial_queen]

Karla was taking notes like crazy today and wishing this class had been available from the minute she stepped foot on the island.

Though, really, Jack and Emma's flirting tutorials had been much more fun.

Re: Lecture, Note-Taking, Ask Questions! [Rev 9-29]

[trickydemigod.livejournal.com]

Luke didn't really have to take notes on this. He had flirting well covered.

Re: Lecture, Note-Taking, Ask Questions! [Rev 9-29]

[seaweed-demigod.livejournal.com]

This was the worst. Just ignore Percy banging his head against the desk at this lesson. He didn't flirt well. He barely even talked to girls all that good.

Re: Lecture, Note-Taking, Ask Questions! [Rev 9-29]

[didntchewgrass.livejournal.com]

Elphaba made a little face as she took her notes. This wasn't a subject she wanted to give much weight.

Re: Lecture, Note-Taking, Ask Questions! [Rev 9-29]

[eyesofahero.livejournal.com]

Cloud was going to take notes and pretend he didn't mind the subject.

...Those meditation classes would come in handy in moments like this.

Re: Lecture, Note-Taking, Ask Questions! [Rev 9-29]

[onlymistaken]

Cally wasn't sure whether to be amused or alarmed by this as a serious topic of revolutionary activity -- or by the prospect of trying it herself. She recognized the potential value of the knowledge, though, and took careful notes.

Re: Lecture, Note-Taking, Ask Questions! [Rev 9-29]

[likes_scoundrels]

Leia was a little confused by flirting as a class topic, but she'd go with it.

Re: Lecture, Note-Taking, Ask Questions! [Rev 9-29]

[angelo_wings]

Taking so many notes. If this could help with Squall, she was all for it.

Pair Up and Flirt! [Rev 9-29]

[tricksy-spy.livejournal.com]

Work those flirting muscles and build a rapport with a fellow classmate.

Re: Pair Up and Flirt! [Rev 9-29]

[seaweed-demigod.livejournal.com]

Just because he didn't know how to flirt didn't mean he wasn't going to try so he was there, waiting for a partner.

Re: Pair Up and Flirt! [Rev 9-29]

[didntchewgrass.livejournal.com]

Elphaba sat off to the side, not actively trying to find a partner. She didn't dislike anyone in the class bad enough to make them work with her on this. It wasn't a lack of self-confidence, or even self-loathing, it was simply accepting the fact that she thought most would have trouble flirting with a girl as green as she.

Re: Pair Up and Flirt! [Rev 9-29]

[trickydemigod.livejournal.com]

Getting to spend the class time flirting was way better than sitting around listening to a lecture. He could do this in his sleep. Luke waited for a partner with a smile on his face because, hey, might as well go in it looking cute.

Re: Pair Up and Flirt! [Rev 9-29]

[eyesofahero.livejournal.com]

Right, flirting.

Cloud would be attempting to become invisible about now. He had a poker face on though if his face were visible under all that hair

Re: Pair Up and Flirt! [Rev 9-29]

[dontvotemeout]

Jason wasn't very good at flirting - it wasn't like he had a lot of experience with that sort of thing, no matter how much he might pretend - but he figured smiling as he looked around might be a good start.

Talk to the TAs [Rev 9-29]

[tricksy-spy.livejournal.com]

Who, Aly is sure, are all experienced flirts. Especially that Percy.

Re: Talk to the TAs [Rev 9-29]

[intraspective]

Even if her flirting these days was mostly confined to one particular SOLDIER, Ino was, yes, reasonably experienced.

She toyed with her hair while rereading the cheat-sheet in amusement.

Re: Talk to the TAs [Rev 9-29]

[seaweed-demigod.livejournal.com]

Oh yeah, Percy was totally an experienced flirt. Really, he was. Just ask Annabeth. Or Rachel Elizabeth Dare.

Re: Talk to the TAs [Rev 9-29]

[deaths-demigod.livejournal.com]

Nico would take issue with the experienced flirting thing. Though, he was pretty sure Percy knew about this. What with all that Rachel and Annabeth stuff.

Re: Talk to the TAs [Rev 9-29]

[angelo_wings]

Rinoa was totally an accomplished flirt. And someone who forgot to tag in here like an idiot.

Talk to Aly [Rev 9-29]

[tricksy-spy.livejournal.com]

Who, admittedly, loves this class. And who will stick around a little later than usual in case anyone needs to catch her about Parents' Weekend.

OOC [Rev 9-29]

[tricksy-spy.livejournal.com]

I have warm brownies to share. *distributes* I love Brownie Tuesday.