It was a fun read, but it’s also had some interesting side effects on the two friends who recommended it to me [I've been in a steady relationship for a while so "the game" is a little off limits in practice ]. The two, who previously had a hard time even talking to girls, have been getting numbers with relative ease now, and in general are just a lot more fun at bars.

I know a lot of people have been critical, especially before reading the techniques, of “manipulation,” but I honestly think a lot of the harmless banter the books and methods teach isn’t that far from the social skills classes taught in yesteryear — social skills that are generally neglected these days in primary education. Socializing can be a scary thing, and if you aren’t taught how to interact “in the wild,” having some fall backs can make life so much easier.

Even if you are perfectly socialized, “The Game” itself reads more like a novel than a self-help book, and is an interesting cautionary tale about the thin line between being social — and being a social robot (perhaps a good companion guide to “never eat alone”?).

Jeez Noah you read a lot of dating books. I just look for tips on social interaction and to see if I can learn anything=)