So, I complimented this girl today...

[Crossless2.0]

Show genuine interest in her as a person, be polite, keep it light and charming, and keep the early conversations short (because you will always have something important to attend to or interesting to do).

She'll find you intriguing instead of just another drooling slob who wants to get in her pants.

[Thumpalumpacus]

Also, try to put yourself in her shoes.  If she's as pretty as you say, then she's had her fill of both guys hitting on her and guys being weird around her because of her looks (some guys are intimidated and act all weird/bashful in really awkward and noticeable ways).

There's no point to being another face in the crowd. Don't focus on her looks, focus on what you like about her and hope she is smart enough to see how you're different. And if she can't see that, she's probably not worth much more effort.

[Seraphina]

Ahoy there matey, I like the cut of your jib, lass.
How's about walking the plank with an old seadog like me?
I'll raise the black flag and we can search Davey Jone's locker for silver and gold.

(strike-outs mine)

Pirate haiku to break the ice with a woman? Depending on the woman, it could work.

-Teresa

[Edwardo Piet]

Yeah, definitely.  I met the girl I consider still to be the love of my life in a high school French class.  I thought she was cute from moment 1, but we became buddies first through school, and then she asked me (how progressive in the late 90s) to the prom.

Now, our romantic relationship didn't last for various reasons, but I still consider her to be my best friend.

What an incredibly beautiful story that makes me very happy

Especially the end

---

Show genuine interest in her as a person[...]

Hehe.... no offence but genuine interest is not something you can show when you're advised to show it if you didn't have it before you were advised to show it

I mean, you could mean "fake genuine interest" but isn't that the same as "hide the fakeness of the interest"?

[Crossless2.0]

Yeah, definitely.  I met the girl I consider still to be the love of my life in a high school French class.  I thought she was cute from moment 1, but we became buddies first through school, and then she asked me (how progressive in the late 90s) to the prom.

Now, our romantic relationship didn't last for various reasons, but I still consider her to be my best friend.

What an incredibly beautiful story that makes me very happy

Especially the end

---

Show genuine interest in her as a person[...]

Hehe.... no offence but genuine interest is not something you can show when you're advised to show it if you didn't have it before you were advised to show it

I mean, you could mean "fake genuine interest" but isn't that the same as "hide the fakeness of the interest"?

I'm trying to help him get laid, you pedantic fu--

I mean . . . I'm just trying to offer good advice. So genuine. Yeah, that's it! "Genuine interest".

[bennyboy]

No, not exactly creepy I presume. You just used the oldest, most clichéd line ever on her, so she probably mentally rolled her eyes at you for even trying that old canard.

Meh.  I don't think most girls care about that.  I ask new students why they came to our school with their sister, when it's obviously their mom, and the moms always tee hee and maybe blush a little.  I think that someone WANTS to compliment you is sufficient for most people to take it in a good light.

As for meeting people in school, that's soooooo easy. You have a million pretexts to delay someone. "I'm sorry to bother you, but did you get what the prof said about ____?" Then a few minutes later, "Oh, hey, thanks for the help. Can I buy you a coffee?" But if you don't get in there pretty quick, she'll probably be going for coffee WITH the professor.

---

I'm trying to help him get laid, you pedantic fu--

I mean . . . I'm just trying to offer good advice. So genuine. Yeah, that's it! "Genuine interest".

You forgot patronizing condescension. That often works as well. So do dressing nicely, having a puppy, or being able to complete longer sentences all on your own.

Let's face it, the mystique is an illusion. College is essentially a breeding ground for lonely young people looking to find someone, and the only way NOT to get a match is not to talk to anyone.

[Edwardo Piet]

What an incredibly beautiful story that makes me very happy

Especially the end

---

Hehe.... no offence but genuine interest is not something you can show when you're advised to show it if you didn't have it before you were advised to show it

I mean, you could mean "fake genuine interest" but isn't that the same as "hide the fakeness of the interest"?

I'm trying to help him get laid, you pedantic fu--

I mean . . . I'm just trying to offer good advice. So genuine. Yeah, that's it! "Genuine interest".

Lol.

genuine interest is not something you can show when you're advised to show it if you didn't have it before you were advised to show it

[Kernel Sohcahtoa]

Today I went to my college class for a lecture and to take some notes. I’ve only been to this class for the second time, and this girl sitting directly in front of me caught my eye. I got a better look at her, and she was beautiful. I made a pact with myself to compliment her that day. When class ended, I decided to ask my professor a question. I wanted to get my stuff packed up before I did though. So when pretty much everyone had left. I saw the girl asking the professor a question herself. She happened to not have her stuff packed up. It took me a while to pack everything up, but, when I did, I wanted to break the ice. " Do I know you? you look familiar. Are you from around this area." I said. She mentioned places that were no where near where I lived( and tbh I didn’t recognize her), but I wanted to try something, right? She was almost packed up when I decided to spew a statement of, " I like your makeup". I said smiling. She smiled back and said “thank you.” Leaving right after. I’m usually not that bold, yet I felt smooth. At the same time I felt like a creep and/or jerk. I wish I could’ve talked to her more though. Could someone please tell me if I said anything wrong or to forward? Or did I say the right thing? Thanks.

I must say that I appreciate your thread.  Reading your op brought me back to the days when I was a young man; however, in regards to breaking the ice with fellow female students, as an extreme introvert, I lacked your carpe diem spirit.  With that said, I wish you luck in your endeavors, sir.

P.S. IMO, you did just fine.  I'm sure this has been said, but as long as you treat her (and others whom you may be interested in) with respect and are assertive/confident about who you are, then I think you will get the most out of your interactions with this woman and others.  Live long and prosper.

[Longhorn]

Not gonna like, "I like your makeup" seems quite strange coming from a guy lol. That's something girls usually say to each other. I'm sure she appreciated the sweet gesture nonetheless. Maybe next time you want to compliment a girl from class, introduce yourself first and say "I just wanted to let you know that I think you are very beautiful..." or something along those lines.

God, no wonder guys are so confused about women! I just told him not to say this exact thing because it's creepy!

I know this is a joke, but my point is, maybe women just aren't all the same and there isn't one fool proof way on hitting on them that works for everybody? I know I wouldn't like to hear I'm pretty, but I know girls that would. It's almost as if we're different people

OP, we don't know what this girl thought of your compliment or what she would like to hear. But you can find out if you get to know her and then start making moves. Just my 0.02.

[Somecoolguy]

Today I went to my college class for a lecture and to take some notes. I’ve only been to this class for the second time, and this girl sitting directly in front of me caught my eye. I got a better look at her, and she was beautiful. I made a pact with myself to compliment her that day. When class ended, I decided to ask my professor a question. I wanted to get my stuff packed up before I did though. So when pretty much everyone had left. I saw the girl asking the professor a question herself. She happened to not have her stuff packed up. It took me a while to pack everything up, but, when I did, I wanted to break the ice. " Do I know you? you look familiar. Are you from around this area." I said. She mentioned places that were no where near where I lived( and tbh I didn’t recognize her), but I wanted to try something, right? She was almost packed up when I decided to spew a statement of, " I like your makeup". I said smiling. She smiled back and said “thank you.” Leaving right after. I’m usually not that bold, yet I felt smooth. At the same time I felt like a creep and/or jerk. I wish I could’ve talked to her more though. Could someone please tell me if I said anything wrong or to forward? Or did I say the right thing? Thanks.

I don't know you well enough to recommend you to anyone. Should I egg you on? What if this is my daughter? Why are you referring to a college aged woman as a girl? Nothing implicitly wrong, just seeking clarification.

I'm taking Psychology right now, and she is actually majoring in Psychology. I'm also still in 11th grade, this is her first year in college. I'm in this program where I can take college classes as a junior. I apologize for calling her a girl, I'm just used to that because I'm still in High School.