What if a man doesn’t ask you for your number but hands you his business card instead? What if he hands you his business card and asks you to call him? Do you take it? In either scenario, the answer is no. You can sit there and smile, but don’t take it. If he asks you why you won’t, try not to say anything. Just give a little shoulder shrug. Remember, you don’t owe him an explanation for your indifference; you just met him. If you must say something, you could mention that you lose business cards all the time.
When a man hands you his card without asking for your contact information, he does not have to have you. He might be willing to sleep with you if you take his card and call him, but let it be known that if he doesn’t ask for your information, he is not that interested. If he really wants to date you, he will find a way to reach you.
If he gives you his card and then also asks for your phone number, you can take the card. Say “Thanks!” and put it in your purse. Don’t sit and study it in front of him, even if you think you are being polite. Pretend that you are too busy to pay attention to every detail that a man throws your way. He won’t think you are rude—just preoccupied.
He might ask you to call him if he knows you have his card or number. If this happens, breezily reply, “Okay!” It is very important that you do not become proud and mention that you never call men. Nor should you say, “You can call me if you want to talk.” Do not tip your hand. The point of playing hard-to-get is to see what a man will do of his own accord so he never feels like his actions are forced with you. You will love knowing that he called because he had to have you—not because you hinted for him to call
Even if he asked you to call and you don’t, he will call if he wants to talk. Men are not like women; they will not think, “She didn’t call, so she must not be interested.” They will think, “She must be busy. I wonder what she’s doing. Maybe she’s dating someone else. I’d better call before she gets away.” If he has to have you, he will call.
A vital part of the number-exchange process is to never pull out your cell phone when talking to a man who wants your number. Sometimes during a number exchange, a man will put your number into his phone and then text you to make sure that it works while standing in front of you. Because hard-to-get girls never text with men, you do not want him to know that you have texting capabilities. Tell him that you left your phone in the car or at home on the charger. Do your best to make sure that he doesn’t see your phone.
Following these rules can be awkward, but again, be persistent and practice! Attend as many singles events as possible so that you can put this advice into action easily and intuitively. Do a quick read of this chapter on your way out the door. When in doubt, remember that you will never go wrong if you master the art of the coy smile and mysterious manner.
1. Mr. Handsome approaches you at a singles event. He hands you his business card and asks for your number. You:
a) Take his card and upon reading it, exclaim, “You’re the vice president of a multi-national corporation! You must drive a nice car.”
b) Look at his card and say, “I don’t call men. Here’s my number.”
c) Ask, “Is this a business deal? I guess this is your best way to approach women.”
d) Say, “Not sure what you want me to do with that.”
e) Smile nicely and say, “Sure, my number is . . .” You put his card in your purse without really looking at it.
2. Mr. Handsome asks for your number. After he writes yours down, he hands you his and says, “Call me. It’d be nice to hear from you.” You say:
a) “I don’t call men.”
b) “Sure, sounds good!”
c) “You can call me. It’d be nice to hear from you.”
d) A & C
e) None of the above.
3. You just met Mr. Handsome, and he’s entering your phone number into his cell phone. He wants to give you his. You:
a) Pull out your phone and enter his number.
b) Say, “I left my phone at home,” even though it’s in your purse.
c) Say “I don’t have a pen on me.”
d) B or C
e) None of the above.
Answers: 1) E; 2) B; 3) D
1. What do you normally say when a man offers you his business card? What will you do next time it happens?
2. What’s your response when a man asks you to call? Do you call? What happened when you did?
3. Are you afraid you’ll forget this advice? If so, which points are most difficult to digest?