A man’s guide to dating

REVIEW

By Maria Angela Parajo

29/05/2014

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Being shot down countless times by women can drain the confidence from any man. So what’s a guy got to do to land a date? These books let us in on how to deal with the battlefields of dating.

 

Matt Kuhn’s The Playbook tries to help any socially awkward man approach beautiful women and “trick them into sleeping with you.” I’m pretty sure it’s every man’s dream to score any woman he wants, so it must be a dream come true, right? Not exactly.

 

The Playbook is written from the persona of womaniser Barney Stinson from the US television series How I Met Your Mother and is based on a number of funny and ridiculous seduction methods that Stinson tries in order to “score a chick”. How I Met Your Mother fans will know what it’s about and if you’ve never heard about the legend—wait for it—dary Barney Stinson, then you’ve probably been living under a rock.

 

Comprising of 75 schemes, many of the pick-up methods are based on the primary factors that are considered to arouse the opposite sex: money, fame, and vulnerability. The articles are laid out in a recipe style format and include an information box as a quick reference on; the type of women the play would attract, its success rate, the props necessary, the amount of time needed, and the potential rundowns of
what might go wrong. Each play increases in difficulty and commitment required, but the amount of effort a wishful womaniser dedicates to these lustrous pick-ups might see himself spending most of his money at the costume shop rather than a dinner date.

Built on cliché’s about men and their cliché thoughts on women, you will find yourself both rolling your eyes and trying not to laugh out loud while on the train to work. But be warned, this book is not for easily offended women. To add to the experience, it is best to listen to the audiobook which is narrated by non-other than the voice of Barney Stinson, Neil Patrick Harris.

The Playbook is an effortless read but it’s a satirical take on womanising makes it more entertaining than useful.

 

 

 

 

 

‘The Playbook’ by Barney Stinson with Matt Kuhn
Cost: $19.99 (hardcopy) $7.99 (e-book) $13.99 (audiobook)
Available via: iTunes or bookstore
Rating: 2.5/5 stars

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you still haven’t managed to get a girlfriend (and really, if you followed the “tips” by Stinson, I wouldn’t be surprised), then you probably need a more realistic look at what’s keeping the ladies at bay. Justin Halpern's I Suck at Girls might be the more viable option.

When Halpern is deciding to propose to his girlfriend he takes us on a journey of his past experiences with girls. From his first crush, to his senior prom date, and the time he lost his virginity; many of his embarrassing and often disappointing encounters were simply because he was terrified to talk to women. Although his character is quite fearful and often neurotic in his decisions, it makes many of his honest accounts anything short of humorous. In this short, biographical tale, Halpern’s unsuccessful streak with women makes many of his desperate attempts to be in a relationship very relatable. His experiences of love, lust and yearning provide a life lesson on enjoying and living life rather than worrying too much about the little things.

Fans of the number one New York Times bestseller Sh*t My Dad Says and followers of its popular Twitter feed will be happy to know that I Suck at Girls has the added bonus of Halpern's father’s bitter and matter-of-factly responses which make the book entertaining:

“... human beings fear the unknown. So whatever's freaking you out, grab it by the balls and say hello.”

While this book is not an explicit guide on how to get a girl, it definitely holds advice on what not to do when trying to land a date. Once you’ve figured out the things you are doing that seem to repel women, sprucing yourself up in the dating scene will become all too easy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

‘I Suck at Girls’ by Justin Halpern
Cost: $21.95 (hardcopy) $7.99 (e-book)
Available via: iTunes or bookstore
Rating: 4/5 stars

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By now you’re probably feeling a bit more comfortable about approaching women, but how do you make sure that there will be date number two? Taking a woman out should be more than your typical dinner and a movie rendezvous.

What do women want? According to Robert Greene’s novel The Art of Seduction, women want to be lured and seduced because without it, there would be no mystery, allure or desire.

Robert Greene may just be the Casanova of the 21st Century. A seducer of words. Entrancing readers with his avid ways to cunningly entice women and keep a strong hold on them. His 24 maneuvers draw on seductive tactics from historical figures such as Cleopatra, Marilyn Monroe and Julius Caesar - some are cynical and cruel while others are exciting and challenging. He does not allude to seduction as simply ways to get sex, instead he builds an unromantic perspective about human nature and seduction emerges to be morally far more interesting than we thought.

"Seduction is the ultimate form of power. Those who give into it do so willingly and happily. There is rarely any resentment on their part; they forgive you any kind of manipulation because you have brought them pleasure, a rare commodity in the world."

The terms used to describe the person in pursuit as “targets” or “victims” was, however, disconcerting and came off as demeaning and offensive, rather than a way of showing the dynamics that occur in interpersonal relationships. Therefore, Greene failed to highlight the unhealthy implications his strategies could have on one’s identity and values. In the end you want to find someone that enjoys you for who you are, so maintaining a sense of self and integrity is important.

Overall, Greene’s book spoke truths about people’s desires and the reasons behind people’s attractions. He delivers a sense of awareness on paying attention to oneself, how to present oneself to others, and what impression they’re passing off to others.

 

 

 

 

 

 ‘The Art of Seduction’ by Robert Greene
Cost: $26.99 (hardcopy) $21.99 (e-book)
Available via: iTunes or bookstore
Rating: 3.5/5 stars

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Would you peruse any of these books for dating advice? Let us know in the comments.