One of the first PUAs I had the pleasure of meeting called himself “Perineum. As defined by Merriam-Webster Dictionary this word means “the area between the anus and the posterior part of the external genitalia. Not a pretty thought. This was decidedly a bad nickname, especially considering if you tell people it is your nickname. A dialogue with a woman spawned from that conversation thread can likely lead nowhere in your favor.
The exotic nicknames we are all familiar with in Neil Strauss’ book The Game and on the various attraction forums make it quite compelling for newcomer to desire an equally striking pseudonym. The original intention of nicknames was not to be used in public but rather to mask your public identity online. You crafted a nickname so that while posting on the forums, women you met in the real world couldn’t discern your actual identity online.
In our community today the concept of the PUA nickname is running amok. Scrolling down the member lists of the popular forums it sounds like the roll call for G.I. Joe headquarters. Now if you’ve already noticed that my nickname is Gypsy, at this point you are probably labeling me a hypocrite or reciting some idiom involving a pot and a kettle. The truth of the matter is that I don’t believe that all nicknames are hurtful. A good nickname can be quite helpful in attracting women if crafted correctly and a bad nickname does the opposite.
So, before you strap on your LED belt buckle and hit the clubs telling people your name is Snake Eyes let’s explore five key points for crafting and using a solid nickname.
1. If you are going to use your nickname actively in public, then you need a root for it. Why, you ask? Because people are going to ask you what the hell it means every time you say it. When asked about the origin of your nickname a response of “Well, I just call myself Storm Shadow” automatically makes women think you are weird.
2. A good nickname leads you down a topic of conversation that allows you to highlight awesome attributes about yourself. Allow me to illustrate this concept with a dialogue that occurs in my life everyday:
Woman1: What’s your name?
Gypsy: They call me Gypsy.
Woman2: That’s your name?
Gypsy: If by name you mean what people call me then yes, that’s my name.
Woman1: Wait…so why do they call you Gypsy?
Gypsy: I’m a holistic healer, massage therapist, palm reader, and Tarot card interpreter. It’s because of all of these things and a few others.
Woman2: Ooh, I want my palm read!
Gypsy: Hmmm, and what’s in it for me?
This is how you use a nickname to your advantage, by having it take the conversation to where you want it to go, namely the interesting qualities about you.
3. If a nickname sounds like a comic book superhero or is from a sci-fi flick it is a bad nickname. Telling women your name is Morpheus is un-cool. If you needed me to tell you this then please seek professional help. Also, crafting a nickname that sounds cool to you and your dungeon master is also un-cool.
Women are not impressed when you tell them your name is Moon Knight, Dragon Lance, or Anti-matter. Don’t get me wrong; I like all of these nicknames, but just because something is “guy cool” does not mean it is “woman cool”. You can feel free to show her your inner nerd later after you have attracted her; she has one too.
4. Pick a nickname that is to the point and memorable. My real name is Ray, but chances are any woman I meet might know a dozen Rays. However, I’m certain that I will be the first Gypsy she meets. When my name pops up on her cell phone she’ll have no trouble remembering the colorful character that goes with that colorful name. Don’t choose a commonplace name for a nickname or a name that she will think is actually your real name. If your real name is Bill and you tell women your name is John that’s a lie and not a nickname. A good nickname reveals something about your personality and it is clear to all that it is probably not your real name.
5. If a woman asks you once if your nickname is your real name then feel free to joke with her. I usually joke by saying “Yes, my parents were raging hippies. They almost named me Sunflower! This elicits a laugh and then I promptly tell the inquiring woman that this is a joke and no, Gypsy is not my real name. If a woman asks you a second time what your real name is then you tell her. If you don’t, it appears that you are hiding something. Don’t feel like you constantly have to dodge a woman’s questions; it makes you seem shady and untrustworthy. Besides she wants to know your real name because she likes you!
Feel free to throw any of these rules out the window if you are only using your nickname online on the attraction forums. I actually don’t advocate the public use of nicknames for most people unless it directly relates to who they are as a person. If you want to create a nickname for yourself that does this then sit down and write out ten things that are unique and interesting about you. These could be your hobbies, career, life history, or desires. Think about attributes and adjectives associated with these aspects and in that process you may uncover for yourself the perfect nickname. I promise that if I meet any Main-Frames, Sgt. Slaughters or Captain Americas at the next Stylelife Conference please expect a kick in the balls.
photo by Stu Seeger
