About This Quiz
In 2005, Neil Strauss introduced the public to the secret world of pickup artists (PUAs), who seek to fine-tune their flirting skills to perfection. Do you know how this sexual subculture operates and why controversy surrounds it?Erik von Markovik, better known to the PUA masses as Mystery, was a magician before he became a master of seduction.
Sarging, or approaching a woman for a conversation, is the cornerstone of pickup artistry.
Paul Thomas Anderson, who wrote the "Magnolia" screenplay, allegedly modeled Cruise’s jarring character, Frank T.J. Mackey, on Ross Jeffries, author of "How to Get the Women You Desire into Bed."
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Every man on the PUA journey begins as an AFC, an average frustrated chump.
PUAs are always on the hunt for HBs, or "hot babes."
Once he learned the art of seduction from Mystery and other PUAs, he adopted the pickup nickname Style.
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According to Mystery's three-second rule, PUAs should approach within the first three seconds of spotting a desirable target.
PUAs entice women by initially insulting, or "negging," them. That way, a man doesn't come across as too interested.
The Mystery formula for PUA perfection involves going out four nights a week and making 12 approaches per night for a grand total of approximately 200 per month.
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Gunwitch's pugnacious PUA handle implies his signature aggressive style that apparently got violently out of hand.
Many prominent PUAs frame their tactics in evolutionary theory, and "The Selfish Gene" by Richard Dawkins supposedly teaches aspiring PUAs the evolutionary biology basis for why women are attracted to bad boys.
In PUA lingo, "chick crack" refers to disingenuous discussions of spirituality or psychology that are intended to build rapport and trust with women.
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Mystery is a peacocking exemplar, commonly sporting top hats, feather boas and platform boots. Peacocking is intended to outwardly display internal confidence.
In his book "The Game," Strauss claims to have seduced ex-Hollywood madam Heidi Fleiss and wooed Britney Spears into asking for his number. Neither woman has publicly confirmed his accounts.
In 1994, Lewis De Payne, a follower of PUA godfather Ross Jeffries, started the Internet seduction group alt.seduction.fast, which spawned related seduction blogs and Web sites. Even today, the community remains connected primarily online.
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Three of the top PUA talents include magic tricks, handwriting analysis and ESP, which supposedly allow men to subconsciously alert women to their sexual charms.
Ross Jeffries developed the notion of Speed Seduction, which relies on subliminal cues, such as body language and one-liners, to attract women. David DeAngelo promises to "Double Your Dating" with his Cocky Funny technique that combines comedy and arrogance.
PUAs go to great lengths to avoid monogamous dating constructs. Hence, a date is called a "day2," and a slick PUA always splits the bill with the woman.
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Instead of wasting time approaching women who aren't interested, a savvy PUA watches out for AIs, or approach invitations. For example, a woman looking his way would indicate an AI.