I received plenty of kick ass gifts for my birthday.  Some, I can openly talk about (Johnnie Walker Black gift set, complete with JW tumblers?  Hell yeah).  Others, um, I can’t.  But one late arrival on the scene has proven both addictive AND an excellent analogy for a key element of seduction.  Keeping it in mind can help your game tremendously.  What is it? 

A tiny remote controlled helicopter.

When I first opened it, I was excited and surprised.  I had mentioned, likely in a drunken slur, how much I’d wanted one for my loft close to a year ago.  I’d more or less forgotten about it until- BAM; Happy Birthday (it pays to have good friends with great memories). 

As I anxiously tore open the packaging and everyone raced around trying to track down 6 AA batteries, visions of my new toy gracefully rising off the countertop for living room destinations unknown danced in my head.  Once we we clear for take off however?  A dizzying red blur spinning thru the ether, completely out of my control before crashing into the refrigerator (and sending a friend’s 125 lbs Giant Schnauser running for cover).  This wasn’t gonna be easy.  But good gawd it was gonna be fun. 

Over the next few days, I found myself thinking about the helicopter at odd times.  My mind would wander to different techniques I could try to coax it into submission.  A little more ‘trim’ here, a little less acceleration there. I was becoming obsessed. In a way, this tiny plastic helicopter was seducing me.

In “The Art of Seduction” by Robert Greene (essential reading for anyone trying to improve their love life) perhaps the simplest point is also the most powerful:

We are attracted to that which retreats from us.

Being a challenge, creating mystery, not surrendering to the will of the person you hope to entice are all infinitely seductive traits. If my new toy had behaved as expected, it would already be collecting dust on a shelf. Instead, I feel like I’m biding my time here at work until I can race home and give it another shot.

Moral of the story; be the helicopter, not the obsessed goof trying to fly it.

PS:  I will win you yet little red.. oh yes.

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