Approaching men made easy: 17 tips for winning men over

Fortunately, the assumption that men have to make the first move is long outdated. However, many women still don't dare to take the first step. So what's the best way to approach the situation? Here you can find out what you should pay attention to when talking to men.

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Approaching men: These 11 tips will make taking the first step a breeze

Many women are familiar with this scenario: you see an attractive man on the train, in the supermarket, or simply passing by. While you're racking your brains trying to figure out the best way to strike up a conversation, the moment has already passed and you're left feeling annoyed at your own shyness. But that's over now! With these 11 tips, making contact will be a breeze.

1. A glance says more than a thousand words

If you have your eye on someone you'd like to talk to, it's always a good idea to test the waters by making eye contact first. If he responds to your gaze and maybe even smiles back, you definitely have the green light. If they look down at the floor awkwardly, they may just be a shy person. In this case, you should also take the initiative quickly. And even if the person you've chosen doesn't respond to your gaze immediately, it doesn't mean they're not interested.

2. Smile!

Similar to eye contact, you can also carefully test how your counterpart reacts to you with a beaming smile. If he beams back or even blushes and looks embarrassed, you should waste no time and approach him. And even if he hasn't noticed you yet, you should greet him with a warm smile when you speak to him.

3. Have an eye for detail

Is he sitting in a café reading a book? Talk to him about it! Does he look like he's on his way to the gym? Here, too, you have a ready-made conversation starter. Pay attention to small details that make it easier for you to strike up a pleasant conversation. Your counterpart will surely be impressed when you notice such small things.

4. Think first, then speak

Think in advance about how you want to approach them. This will help you avoid stammering and prevent the first conversation from ending too quickly.

5. Nothing ventured, nothing gained!

In many everyday situations, you only have a few moments to decide whether to approach someone. In this case, you should definitely not hesitate to take the first step quickly, because once the situation has passed, you will surely regret not having acted more quickly. So if you spot someone at the train station or in passing, you should quickly take the initiative. In such a case, it is also less dramatic if you don't immediately have the right opening line ready.

6. Leave your friends behind for a moment

If you are out with a group of friends, you should leave them behind for a moment to approach a man. You don't want your counterpart to be overwhelmed by the situation and quickly take flight. That could happen quickly if five of you approach him at once and look at him expectantly.

7. Cheeky pick-up lines? No, thank you.

A memorized, funny flirtatious remark can quickly come across as strange and scare your counterpart away. Especially in everyday situations, it's better to approach a man with a casual and sincere sentence. Even if such a flirtatious remark is funny at first, it's not a promising method.

8. Compliments always go down well

Here, too, the rule is: be attentive! Observe the man you want to approach briefly and start the conversation with a compliment about his outfit or hairstyle. This is an easy way to start a nice conversation and your intention is immediately clear. Besides, everyone likes a nice compliment!

9. Small talk: short and sweet!

When you approach men, keep the conversation short, as this will pave the way for a real date. So don't start a long conversation to get to know each other, but start the first contact with a few casual small talk sentences. Everything else will follow!

10. Give him your number!

You're definitely on the safe side if you're the one who gives him your number. That way, he has the chance to take the next step and text you. If he hasn't gotten in touch after a few days, you know he was just being polite and wasn't interested.

11. Not interested? Move on!

You mustered up all your courage, approached a man, and got rejected. Now it's very important not to lose heart and give up! There are 1,000 different reasons why he's not interested in you. So forget about the encounter, don't worry about the rejection, and talk to the next cute guy!


Where can I approach men in everyday life?

There are many everyday situations in which you might encounter an attractive man: whether at the supermarket, the gym, or in a bar in the evening. Most of the time, you don't dare to approach the man and regret it afterwards. To make this a problem of the past, we have the best tips for approaching men in everyday life.

1. At the gym

Gyms are usually full of attractive men, and there's no shortage of topics to get a conversation started. Many men would certainly feel flattered if you asked them how to use a particular piece of equipment or how to do an exercise correctly. This way, you're talking to him, but he has the opportunity to show himself from his best side and impress you.

2. Approaching men at the supermarket

The supermarket is also a better place to approach men than you might think. As a first step, it's a good idea to take a look at his shopping cart. If he has baby food, diapers, or tampons, it's clear what he's looking for and you can avoid rejection right away. However, if the shopping basket looks more like a single person's dinner, you have the green light: ask him about the wine he has already packed or where a certain product you have spotted in his basket can be found in the store. This quickly leads to a casual conversation and you can walk out of the store with a cell phone number in your pocket.

3. On the bus or train

There are many opportunities to skillfully approach a man when you're out and about. It's always easy to ask for directions on the bus or train. But don't hesitate too long, because the next stop could be his.

5. In a bar

A bar is one of the classic places to meet people. The atmosphere is lively and flirting happens quickly. This is the perfect place to play with eye contact and smiles before approaching a man. Pay close attention to his body language—an open posture and returned glances indicate that the interest is mutual. Be brave!

6. In a nightclub Approaching men

Of all places, this is probably where the atmosphere is most exuberant, which is why approaching men is usually quite easy. Compliment him to start a conversation or give him a few meaningful glances beforehand. Or how about inviting a man for a drink? In a club, you have endless possibilities that are waiting to be explored.


No-gos when approaching men: Things you should avoid

When approaching men, there are also a few pitfalls you can fall into. To help you avoid them, we have listed the six most important no-gos for you here:

  1. Especially when out on the town: too much alcohol!

  2. Memorized pick-up lines

  3. Overly weird humor

  4. Talking yourself down

  5. Approaching someone with a group of friends

  6. Being too aggressive – it's better to mention your desire to have children after a few dates

In general, it always works best if you approach someone confidently and naturally. Avoid being overly self-critical when talking to someone and just be yourself, then nothing can go wrong.


Conclusion: You can learn how to approach men!

Approaching a man naturally requires a little courage, but if you follow the tips above, nothing should go wrong. Here is an overview of the most important points:

1. Play with your counterpart by making eye contact repeatedly.

2. Approach the man confidently and be courageous and quick-witted.

3. Observe your counterpart before approaching them so that you have appropriate compliments and small talk topics ready.

4. Just take the plunge and be brave!

5. Don't let rejection get you down and continue with the same confidence.

Now it's your turn: Just give it a try and dare to approach a few men. And who knows, maybe your true love is among them?

LemonSwan Team
Last updated: 29.10.25 Published: 10.01.20

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