What are some IOIs to look for in street game?

[Gladiator]

Looks like my game journey has been a top-down approach. When I started off, for a brief period I was doing indirect game inadvertently (not having enough balls to go direct?!) which gave me good results.
However, a wing I used to hangout at the time challenged me to go direct and just to prove him I can do that, I veered off to direct game and started getting great reactions. Hadn't realised results over reactions back then. In hindsight, it was a mistake.

Btw since the place where I live in gets dark too early (around 4 PM) these days, I've more or less stopped doing street approaches and only meet chics indoors like cafes, grocery stores etc. Since it's not very convenient to go direct in these venues, I've been going indirect and they're working great (except that I'm not successfully able to follow through all the way until the end, since there is a dissonance in my frame with the approach and seduction). Perhaps I need to unlearn direct game and I guess it takes sometime. Indirect also seems very gratifying since it comes across very smooth and sophisticated.

Anyway back to the question: I've always been an opponent of IOIs since I've been with a few chics who didn't give me any IOI (or did they??) and would've missed them if I was reliant on IOIs. But recently when I was walking down the street with a friend he pointed out twice that chics were checking me out and I was totally oblivious to it. Also, this post from @Chase came just at the right time:
Thread 'Sexually inexperienced men need time and exposure to receptive women to learn to sense and respond to receptive women's signals'
https://www.skilledseducer.com/threads/sexually-inexperienced-men-need-time-and-exposure-to-receptive-women-to-learn-to-sense-and-respond-to-receptive-womens-signals.27667

So, I guess I was missing signals all along and could've made it more efficient by looking for them. Although I look for signs and calibrate during all other stages of seduction like moving her/escalation/bouncing/kissing/fractionating/sex etc but doing this during approaching would make my arsenal potent and might be a game-changer. I went through a few articles on GC and they were all targeted either for later stages of seduction or in indoor venues but nothing related to street approach.

Given that it gets dark quite early, it'd be prudent to approach chics on the street who express IOIs. A couple of them that I noticed today glanced at me for a micro-second but since I was in a rush, I didn't approach them.

BTW, on the street I'd of course still go direct but I can open with a chase-frame or more semi-direct. For the ones who gave IOIs today morning, I thought I could've opened with one of these:
"There was a moment between us, wanted to meet you" or
"I saw you checking me out and thought it'd be impolite to not introduce" or
"there was something about you that I can't put a finger on, thought I'll come find out" or
"it was a serendipitous moment. Hi, I'm gladiator" or
"you have predatory eyes (said with a teasing tone)" or
Just "Hi".
(Let me know if you have any other better openers, possibly indirect. I'll tailor and calibrate them)

Is that the only sign you guys look for or are there any other signs that you notice in Street game? Also when they glance at me very very briefly, it's hard to discern if it was really an IOI or she was a free-spirited person just being social and welcoming to strangers. Is that what you still consider as an IOI?

 

[Jan]

From my experience, the most important IOI in street game is looking for women NOT IN BASELINE.

Basically, most of women in the street will be heading somewhere (work, school) and many of them will be in a hurry. Observe these woman for some time and keep their body language/behavior/eyes contact as a BASELINE. Once you have this baseline in your mind, it will be quite ease to distinguish between baseline (women not interested) and those NOT IN BASELINE (interested).

You will feel that there is something different about those not in baseline. They will move in a different pace, they will be looking at different direction, most likely they will dress different. These are women who are on the street NOT following their daily routine. Instead, they are there looking for something DIFFERENT. You know what that is

 

[Bismarck]

Don’t look for IOIs in street day game - I opened an arthoe architecture student who was super DTF who I only didn’t fuck because I didn’t stick to her - who gave me no IOIs. Same with a girl I’m currently fucking who I met on my street a few weeks ago.

Maybe you don’t have enough volume where you’re at (in which case I would urge you to get a feel for the busiest times when you’re most likely to run into hot chicks and go out during them) but here I simply approach hot girls who are walking in my lane on the street. No running after girls, and even switching lanes can be overinvestment right off the bat.

The other day I opened a hottie in the metro station who noticed me checking her out in the tramcar. Looks like we’re going on a date next week. She gave me no IOIs.

I’ve been using either Proper’s patented “Your style is quite nice” followed up with “Do you work in fashion?” or “Do you always dress this good?” or Kvothe’s “Has anyone ever told you…[cold read such as “you have a very playful style”]” Alternatively you can simply leave the open loop, stare deep in her eyes and say she reminds you of your ex-girlfriend, only there’s something different about her eyes (Gun), then stack with something else.

 

[Gladiator]

From my experience, the most important IOI in street game is looking for women NOT IN BASELINE.

Basically, most of women in the street will be heading somewhere (work, school) and many of them will be in a hurry. Observe these woman for some time and keep their body language/behavior/eyes contact as a BASELINE. Once you have this baseline in your mind, it will be quite ease to distinguish between baseline (women not interested) and those NOT IN BASELINE (interested).

You will feel that there is something different about those not in baseline. They will move in a different pace, they will be looking at different direction, most likely they will dress different. These are women who are on the street NOT following their daily routine. Instead, they are there looking for something DIFFERENT. You know what that is

Good observation.. looking back, all the girls I've picked up on the street were the ones who were walking slowly/aimlessly and never have I got a chic who I've ran after or stopped when she was walking quickly. The ones I've went after even though I sensed they're not open were mostly done instinctually for a sense of achievement.. more than her..

I'll be interested to know if anyone here on the forum have picked up chics who're walking in a hurry..

Don’t look for IOIs in street day game - I opened an arthoe architecture student who was super DTF who I only didn’t fuck because I didn’t stick to her - who gave me no IOIs. Same with a girl I’m currently fucking who I met on my street a few weeks ago.

Maybe you don’t have enough volume where you’re at (in which case I would urge you to get a feel for the busiest times when you’re most likely to run into hot chicks and go out during them) but here I simply approach hot girls who are walking in my lane on the street. No running after girls, and even switching lanes can be overinvestment right off the bat.

The other day I opened a hottie in the metro station who noticed me checking her out in the tramcar. Looks like we’re going on a date next week. She gave me no IOIs.

I’ve been using either Proper’s patented “Your style is quite nice” followed up with “Do you work in fashion?” or “Do you always dress this good?” or Kvothe’s “Has anyone ever told you…[cold read such as “you have a very playful style”]” Alternatively you can simply leave the open loop, stare deep in her eyes and say she reminds you of your ex-girlfriend, only there’s something different about her eyes (Gun), then stack with something else.

Totally.. like I mentioned in my OP, I'm not an advocate of IOIs but exerting myself unnecessarily is also try-hard.
Btw..You're right.. there's not enough volume where I live and I just can't afford to rely on IOIs. I'll try this for the next few days on target selection.

 

[Zoro]

I'll be interested to know if anyone here on the forum have picked up chics who're walking in a hurry..

I’ve done it a few times.

I remember running up to a girl and introducing myself. I think it was a direct opener with a stop. She was walking home (this was in Europe, btw). She told me she had a boyfriend and I said that’s fine I wanted to make friends since I was new to the area. On our date she confessed she didn’t have a boyfriend. She was into me from the opener and really liked me. Sweet girl too bad I had to leave before we had a second date.

Another time was on the beach. She was literally running on the wet sand. I had this crazy idea that I’d open her while running, I didn’t think about it too much I just started catching up to her. When I pulled up next to her I said “let’s race!” And then I sprinted. After I left her in the dust I dove into the water, and she joined me. We hung out in the idyllic gentle waves (I think I had her in my arms at one point too, or I really wanted to do that, I don’t remember what actually happened, good chance it did happen though). Then we chatted on the beach. She seemed really reserved and inexperienced. I got her number but followed up half heartedly because I had a girlfriend who was coming to visit me.

Don’t look for IOIs in street day game

I second this. I’ve opened girls who hooked immediately that gave no indication that they were interested before the opener. That being said, I was doing a lot of direct with those girls who hooked immediately and I’m only now starting to understand why I don’t see signals thrown my way (it’s because I send out my own signals of interest that I need to tone down).

If you’re somewhere stationary, then you’ll be able to get some signals. Like reading at a bookstore and a girl sits suspiciously close to you, or at a cafe and you notice every time you look over at her she’s looking at you.

I like the rule of thumb, “if you want to meet her, then do it” IOIs are more like a sometimes helpful bit of info, than something you need before an approach.

 

[DarkKnight]

Perhaps not a specific IOI towards you but something I have definitely encountered many times now is when a girl dresses OVERTLY in red. Those girls are on the hunt. Unfortunately some girls have also picked up that the color red can draw male attention so attention seekers are starting to use this color as well, but I notice they tend to go to specific environments which they dress up for. But in street game when they are clothed in red, it ups your chances.

 

[Gladiator]

I’ve done it a few times.

I remember running up to a girl and introducing myself. I think it was a direct opener with a stop. She was walking home (this was in Europe, btw). She told me she had a boyfriend and I said that’s fine I wanted to make friends since I was new to the area. On our date she confessed she didn’t have a boyfriend. She was into me from the opener and really liked me. Sweet girl too bad I had to leave before we had a second date.

Another time was on the beach. She was literally running on the wet sand. I had this crazy idea that I’d open her while running, I didn’t think about it too much I just started catching up to her. When I pulled up next to her I said “let’s race!” And then I sprinted. After I left her in the dust I dove into the water, and she joined me. We hung out in the idyllic gentle waves (I think I had her in my arms at one point too, or I really wanted to do that, I don’t remember what actually happened, good chance it did happen though). Then we chatted on the beach. She seemed really reserved and inexperienced. I got her number but followed up half heartedly because I had a girlfriend who was coming to visit me.

Interesting.. are you generally a hyper-energetic person? Like life of the party personality? I think this contributes largely to how you approach.
My personality is super-calm.. so, it just doesn't come across as congruent when I run after a girl. I don't think I'll run after any girl anymore but just being curious..

 

[DarkKnight]

so, it just doesn't come across as congruent when I run after a girl. I don't think I'll run after any girl anymore but just being curious..

but Gladiator this girl doesn't know you so what does it matter with congruency? It is simply something you need to train up if you are willing to and then it becomes congruent by default

 

[Gladiator]

but Gladiator this girl doesn't know you so what does it matter with congruency? It is simply something you need to train up if you are willing to and then it becomes congruent by default

Running up to them is one thing but I speak in a monotonous voice with pregnant pauses using weasel phrases.. it just doesn't add up.

Ya, if I train myself, I'll add a new set of skills in my arsenal but training to speak differently is a complete makeover of my personality which brings to my recent epiphany that indirect-calm-seductive is the most efficient.

 

[Zoro]

Interesting.. are you generally a hyper-energetic person? Like life of the party personality? I think this contributes largely to how you approach.
My personality is super-calm.. so, it just doesn't come across as congruent when I run after a girl. I don't think I'll run after any girl anymore but just being curious..

No I’m low energy haha.

But when I’m genuinely interested in a girl, I usually feel very in the zone, have confidence, and can lead pretty well.

Instead of bringing them into my world with a bombardment of energy, I do it with creativity and connection. This is way less fancy than it sounds.

 

[DarkKnight]

Ya, if I train myself, I'll add a new set of skills in my arsenal but training to speak differently is a complete makeover of my personality which brings to my recent epiphany that indirect-calm-seductive is the most efficient.

bro I do not want to browbeat you but you cans witch over to your personality when you want to but at the start especially in street game you need to be a bit unorthodox otherwise nothing will happen. Personally I dislike streetgame because it is harder to pre-open, so yeah sometimes you need to be a bit jarring whether you want to or not. Especially in crowded places

 

[Zoro]

bro I do not want to browbeat you but you cans witch over to your personality when you want to but at the start especially in street game you need to be a bit unorthodox otherwise nothing will happen. Personally I dislike streetgame because it is harder to pre-open, so yeah sometimes you need to be a bit jarring whether you want to or not. Especially in crowded places

I agree with DK. Even if you’re low energy, you should easily be able to speak in a more intriguing and attractive way. I leverage my interest in her to give me a little pep. That’s one reason I only approach girls I’m actually into.

When I approach a girl I’m half interested in, I have no energy, it goes no way, I don’t care at all.

But when I approach a stunner, I’m in the zone, excited (not too excited!) and motivated to create a vibe.

PS, when I say you should easily be able to do this, I mean that it shouldn’t require too much energy to behavior attractively. However it may not be so easy to pull it off at first, you’ll have to experiment and get out of your comfort zone first. That’s where growth starts.

 

[DarkKnight]

But when I approach a stunner, I’m in the zone, excited (not too excited!) and motivated to create a vibe.

I have the same... suddenly you get energized and can barely hold yourself , I notice that when this happens I go very direct. Really once in a blue moon occurence which last time happened a month ago, a girl had killer legs and I was hypnotized barely focused on my environment and I went all in. Girl kinda came off shy like although not completely avoiding me then her friend came along and the moment was disspelled, anyway happens but point is these types are indeed energizing.

 

[Gladiator]

I know what you guys mean.. I've had those moments a few times. It's very involuntarily and mostly instinctual. Not sure why but I can switch to that high-energy mode sometimes when I want to approach hot-milfs.
I'm not into milfs but these are the ones who are in high status positions in whatever they're doing and I'm a sucker for such high status milfs. Think of Demi Moore from Disclosure. Unfortunately, I can't hold that momentum for long and it dies back quickly and I come across as AFC once they start testing me.
@Wick Interesting you can open walking fast sets with low energy on the street and still have them hooked.. good on you!

This post has given me a few things to look out for, will keep them in mind

 

[Zoro]

I know what you guys mean.. I've had those moments a few times. It's very involuntarily and mostly instinctual. Not sure why but I can switch to that high-energy mode sometimes when I want to approach hot-milfs.
I'm not into milfs but these are the ones who are in high status positions in whatever they're doing and I'm a sucker for such high status milfs. Think of Demi Moore from Disclosure. Unfortunately, I can't hold that momentum for long and it dies back quickly and I come across as AFC once they start testing me.
@Wick Interesting you can open walking fast sets with low energy on the street and still have them hooked.. good on you!

This post has given me a few things to look out for, will keep them in mind

I notice that older women tend to be more relaxed in a refreshing way. Their tests seem more to the core of your manhood.

Whereas younger women will test you more but on dumb shit like “omg what did you say?”

What you want in either case is a strong frame. That means knowing what you want, what you stand for, what you like, basically you have a very strong internal compass that you refer to. A weak frame is when you look to her to make decisions, like just saying things because you want her to like you, rather than you believing it to your core and you could say the same thing to a crowd of 10,000 and you still own it.

As for low energy opening, it’s not specifically low energy. Just not high energy. Its curiousity mixed with caveman desire mixed with confidence and social grace, a little creativity, and a strong frame. There should be flirting, teasing, connection, rapport, compliance, etc. you need some energy for that, but you don’t need to be a party animal talking fast and bubbly.

 

[Gladiator]

I notice that older women tend to be more relaxed in a refreshing way. Their tests seem more to the core of your manhood.

Whereas younger women will test you more but on dumb shit like “omg what did you say?”

What you want in either case is a strong frame. That means knowing what you want, what you stand for, what you like, basically you have a very strong internal compass that you refer to. A weak frame is when you look to her to make decisions, like just saying things because you want her to like you, rather than you believing it to your core and you could say the same thing to a crowd of 10,000 and you still own it.

You're very right about high status Milfs testing your manhood but I beg to differ about the rest. They live and breathe 24/7 around such men who are calm and composed in their behavior, although some of them may not have a strong frame when it comes to women but most do. This is her everyday normal world.

So, to break out of this normal routine they're looking for men around whom she can let go and be free like a little girl once again. Therefore, basically she's attracted to guys who're high-energy, party animal kind with bubbly energy (exactly what you mentioned) with a devil may care attitude.

As much as she expects a strong frame, she's equally looking for someone who takes her on a rollercoaster ride both literally and figuratively.

When I said I fail their tests, it's not the frame tests but more like spontaneity test. I met one such chic a while ago with high energy and she was very attracted from the get go (you know deer in the headlights look). I was bombarding her with witty one liners and she was giggling endlessly. I suggested an instant date and perhaps she had never experienced a guy asking her out right off the bat when she met him and was delighted like a little girl. She'd have been on a lot of wine and dine dates. She was going to meet her male friend soon to go together to a party. I don't know what the dynamics were between them but she asked me to join them to go to the party. I couldn't have maintained that energy with 2 of them and specially an older man, I politely declined. In hindsight, it was a form of test although she didn't do that consciously.

 

[Conquistador]

I couldn't have maintained that energy with 2 of them and specially an older man

Did she really expect you to maintain the exact same energy?

 

[Zoro]

You're very right about high status Milfs testing your manhood but I beg to differ about the rest. They live and breathe 24/7 around such men who are calm and composed in their behavior, although some of them may not have a strong frame when it comes to women but most do. This is her everyday normal world.

So, to break out of this normal routine they're looking for men around whom she can let go and be free like a little girl once again. Therefore, basically she's attracted to guys who're high-energy, party animal kind with bubbly energy (exactly what you mentioned) with a devil may care attitude.

As much as she expects a strong frame, she's equally looking for someone who takes her on a rollercoaster ride both literally and figuratively.

When I said I fail their tests, it's not the frame tests but more like spontaneity test. I met one such chic a while ago with high energy and she was very attracted from the get go (you know deer in the headlights look). I was bombarding her with witty one liners and she was giggling endlessly. I suggested an instant date and perhaps she had never experienced a guy asking her out right off the bat when she met him and was delighted like a little girl. She'd have been on a lot of wine and dine dates. She was going to meet her male friend soon to go together to a party. I don't know what the dynamics were between them but she asked me to join them to go to the party. I couldn't have maintained that energy with 2 of them and specially an older man, I politely declined. In hindsight, it was a form of test although she didn't do that consciously.

Im not sure I agree that was a test.

And there are plenty of people who don’t really relate to this high energy party vibe. In fact I’d say most people do not like this vibe.

The high energy vibe is useful during parties, and out clubbing if the environment is distracting, otherwise you don’t need to be vibing like a strobe light

 

[Gladiator]

Did she really expect you to maintain the exact same energy?

She may or may not have but the situation would've called for it.

Im not sure I agree that was a test.

And there are plenty of people who don’t really relate to this high energy party vibe. In fact I’d say most people do not like this vibe.

The high energy vibe is useful during parties, and out clubbing if the environment is distracting, otherwise you don’t need to be giving like a strobe light

When you mentioned earlier about running with a girl along the beach into the water, you did have high-energy. I think the gap between our assumptions is only that you derive that energy when you're super attracted to a girl. You're right in that regard.

Like I mentioned earlier in the thread, I need to be more mindful of target selection and tailor my approaches. I can't be high energy throughout my day when I'm in field but those are like "super-likes" on tinder which I should use when I'm super attracted to a chic. Well again it's not something I can do but something that happens I guess. It reminds me of @Chase 's recent post about non-conforming - when men present non-conforming behavior to attract women when he's attracted to her.

BTW, there maybe specific nuances which you do beyond what you wrote here which I might've not really tried, so it'd be unfair to argue without experience. Let me try a few such approaches opening with moderate to high energy and still being able go all the way until the end even when the energy drops and then we can discuss.

 

[Zoro]

When you mentioned earlier about running with a girl along the beach into the water, you did have high-energy. I think the gap between our assumptions is only that you derive that energy when you're super attracted to a girl. You're right in that regard.

The only high energy thing about this was the running. I opened her, then sprinted for about 10 seconds, and then dove into the water, and then we had a laugh about it, and then mellow convo. The thing I remember most about this interaction was how mellow and calm it was, the waters were the most still I had even seen them, and we just body rocked in the slow rhythms of the water.

What do you mean exactly by high energy? Maybe we are misunderstanding each other.