In all my existence as a fairly good-looking guy, I have learned only recently how to start a conversation with a girl. I never ever thought of just talking to a girl if she isn’t already a friend, or an acquaintance who’s around often enough I could naturally start a conversation with her. I realized this inability when a bit over a week ago I decided to go out with my buddies for beer and billiards. The place was packed, and the three of us were left with a table that could accommodate six people. With the good grace of fate, three wonderful ladies went into the room, and their faces instantly sagged with disappointment when they saw that no table was available for them. One of them, the one that I first noticed and who really caught my attention, with her tight shirt, miniskirt and long blond hair topped with a cowboy hat, glanced at our table. The look on her face revealed a quick consideration of sharing the table with us, and then she whispered to her friend. In seconds, they approached us and asked permission to share our spot while waiting for theirs. There was nothing more that my buds and I could have asked for, so we all just nodded and said yes, obviously trying to hide the joy we felt but could see in each other’s glittering eyes.

And then it happened. My buds played a one-on-one. The two other girls went somewhere I don’t know, and I was left with the blond chick. I was conflicted. I wanted to spark a conversation but didn’t know how to not make it awkward. And then, like a stroke of brilliance, I thought, “What the heck. It will be awkward, or it will be what it will be. I better just start talking.” And so I just did. It was plain and simple. I said, “Hi, my name is Dee,” and extended my hand. “Packed place, huh?” I added. She extended her hand, said her name, and agreed. From there we talked about what we were doing there, what we did for a living and then topics just came naturally to us. We enjoyed our no-pretense conversation. I asked whether I could get her number. She said yes, and then asked for mine. We have been in touch ever since, and I’m seeing her again tomorrow.

So, here’s the lesson I learned on how to start a conversation with a girl: Just start. Plain and simple.