It was 1969. Me, young, single, with a 1969 orange Camaro convertible, a rainfall of hair rivaling Cher's, wearing micro-mini skirts & calf-high boots & searching for my dream guy. A friend gave me a book she swore had feminine tips sure to turn any male into putty. Really? Yes, really....
The title of the book was The Fascinating Girl, a Christian guide for single girls trying to catch a man. It was written and printed in 1969 by a housewife and mother of eight. My friend explained there were CLASSES being taught on this book! I was mischievously intrigued by the tips, even though in the South flirting is learned from the cradle and practiced first on Daddy - there were new things in the book. I decided I had to give these, ahem, techniques, a try.
Off to a Dallas hot spot with some friends, I scanned the crowd of guys looking for a prospect (victim) - one fellow caught my attention. Not drop-dead gorgeous, but he had magnificent "presence" and all the other guys seem to acknowledge it. I could see laughing eyes flash across the room and he seemed so comfortable in his own skin. He definitely commanded attention and had caught my eye the moment he entered (great eyes, greater smile, great BODY). Luckily, my seat at the table faced his - though we were across the room. My first target was sighted, now to see if this stuff worked.. Naturally shy, I took a deep breath and...
Here are the step for basic flirting in the book - and how they worked:
The first secret in the art of flirting chapter was simple - I was to just look at him, patiently, until he returned my look. It didn't take long - he looked right at me, met my eyes. I've been told this always works because it's that wolf instinct guys just naturally have - they scan their area for predators and prey, so if you look they'll soon spot you, The next step was to immediately smile returning his look eye-to-eye, then blush (BLUSH!?!?!?) and drop your head, as if you were sooooo fascinated but sooooo embarrassed he caught you looking. (Just doing that was enough to make me blush for real) Finally, I was to wait a few seconds and look at him again, sort of up & out of my eyelashes angled in a very girly manner. Think: "bat your eyelashes". The idea is to give the fellow confidence their overture will not be rejected. Did this fellow need confidence? Nooooo, he seemed to exude it. But the basic format was: . Look, when spotted then simply smile, turn shy and demure, look away and repeat until...
I was almost giggling with sheer embarrassment at the charade (a naturally very girly reaction) and when I saw him still looking right at me - I just lost it- and collapsed in helpless mirth. Amazing! I couldn't believe this stuff was effective; but, I'll be darned if he didn't stand up, excuse himself from his group and head straight for me! I watched him all the way, smiling, waiting for him. I'm sure that I was not supposed to smile and wait for him but by this time I had forgotten all the rules. This was terrific fun, I was thrilled and excited plus, there was something about him that seemed special...
We danced and danced and had a lovely time. I remember still that he had on slacks and a silk shirt that night; the silk felt nice to my hands.He was genuinely warm and so endearing as well as a hunk. Just a very real, incredibly likable person and I was so glad he "noticed" me. I asked what he did and he said he was into karate- something I knew nothing at all about. His name? Chuck Norris.
After that enchanting first experience, I was sold for life on this wonderful primer on femininity. I made the secret arts my own and later would nearly die when my husband found the book, recognized sooooo many of the things I had "used on him!". He was furious! (But then, again, we've been married for over 30 years soooo) Would the techniques still be effective? Timeless, I promise, and as the mom of three sons - I know some things never change. You should read the tips about milk (the milk tips are for really serious intentions about a fellow) - the book is still available.
Is this manipulative? Noooo, I don't think tapping into the natural radiance of our femininity is manipulative. Actually, just discovering your own femininity is a worthwhile endeavor, I think.
I see so many young women floundering when it comes to developing good, strong relationships. I think every young girl should have this book & could be it's time to bring back those classes...
About the author:
View all "Shabby Projects", by Devonia by clicking here -and scrolling down, including the one about French Finishes shown in the photo above..
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Devonia is an artist, designer whose art and paintingsare available under the eBay id - many*shades*of*shabby
See on SHINE - with step-by-step pictorial directions about what I did and why. It's not available any more - SOLD - but just Click the photo for more.
