Dutch courage

Even though it is the 21st century, it is still predominately men that make the speculative moves on women in a pub or nightclub. In any event, this kamikaze activity involves a high amount of courage/recklessness, a dollop of self confidence and/or a smidgen of arrogance. The rare ability to take rejection like water of a duck's back is also invaluable. As noted in the post on pub/club dating, practitioners of this brown trouser inducing activity often need Dutch courage.

Many people have never gone to a nightclub sober. Without the aid of a self-consciousness disinhibitor (e.g. alcohol), many men suffer from "gynaeparalysis". This debilitating condition describes an overwhelming fear of approaching women that renders a guy unable to move in the direction of the target female. Severe cases involve uncontrollable drooling, but mercifully, this is quite rare. Despite restricting movement in the direction of the women, this unusual condition also increases the speed at which the sufferer can move in the opposite direction. There are unconfirmed rumours that the object of Justin Gatland's affection was standing behind his starting blocks when he set the world record for the 100m!

Luckily for lovelorn Lotharios, a cure is readily available in the nightclub (albeit at an inflated price). The elixir of confidence known as alcohol acts as a temporary magic bullet for this condition. However, it must be taken with care. Too little and it doesn't work very effectively, too much and you begin slurring your speech and slobbering over your victim, thereby blowing your chances. The important thing is to get into "the zone" (marked on the graph above) before approaching anybody and limit your intake thereafter to prevent yourself from leaving it. You know that you are in this zone when you feel a pleasant buzz and you suddenly think that you are THE MAN! All your nagging insecurities and self-doubt disappear and the world is your oyster.

Stay in the zone and there will be no stopping you!