How to Get a Date at an Art Gallery Opening

Image via Complex Original

Your mom wasn't kidding when she said, “Be true to who you are.” No woman ever appreciates when a man is faker than a girl in high school—she's dealt with that type before, and she doesn't need to deal with it again. A grown woman has moved past the lies and the schemes; she's looking for something genuine. Just like you should never order spaghetti on a first date if you're wearing white, you should never try and be someone who you aren’t (or lie about what you do…because she'll see through it). Remember, no one likes marinara sauce on his or her shirt. Ever.

If you’re at an art gallery and looking to meet somebody, then you obviously have some idea of what kind of girl you’re looking for. As a grown man, you should have a fairly decent idea of how to determine whether a woman is interested in you or not. Once you’ve narrowed down your target list (without being a creep), then it’s time you go for it. Ideally, if you’re not looking to date an artsy girl, then an art gallery isn’t the place to go looking. Take in your surroundings, and get to know the art world. If all else fails, and your gallery girl pushes you into rejection zone, you still have the art.

When first approaching a girl in a gallery, this may not seem like your “first date.” You’ve just introduced yourself, and now you're having a conversation. You’ve become acquaintances at best. Could this be a first date? Well, make it one. You’re at an art gallery with someone who seems to be your type. That’s why you approached her, right? You’re discussing the art—the colors, composition, and style—and you seem to be hitting it off. In many ways, this could be considered your first date. If you play your cards right, she’ll think of it as the same.

There’s nothing more annoying than having a stage-fiver on your back when looking at a piece of art. If the girl seems genuinely un-interested, let it go. If she’s with a group of girlfriends, and just wants it to be “the girls,” don’t linger around. The last thing you want is to come off as the “creep.” If you're talking to a girl, and she clearly isn’t interested, you have to know when to quit. Show her you're there for the same reasons she is: to enjoy a night at a gallery looking at the art.

Instead of trying too hard, charm your way to her heart…through the art. Ask her why she chose this exhibit. Why did she choose this specific gallery? Does she have a favorite artist showing? What’s her favorite part of the painting? If you're afraid or nervous when it comes to initiating conversation, asking about the artwork, rather than telling her about it, is the perfect ice-breaker. It’ll lead to further conversation and make you sound less pretentious and more interesting.

You may not be an artist or a curator, but if you like to look at art and have an interest in the subject, then you've got an A+ in our book. While girls in art galleries may not even be artists themselves, galleries are one of the perfect places to network. Because art is so universal, men and women of all professions go to galleries not only for their interest in the art world, but to meet new people. Instead of just telling a girl at a gallery about your “true” profession, carry a couple of business cards. Don't be afraid to give her your number via business card in addition to asking for hers. Show her who you are, as well as getting to know who she is as an art-goer and gallery enthusiast.

If you're looking to impress without having to know about the artwork, you might want to dress as if you are a walking piece of art…or something like that. First impressions start with presentation, so make sure your outfit is up to par. Thursday nights, which happen to be the hottest gallery nights, are the perfect excuse for dressing up.

As an art newbie, you can either blindly walk into a gallery or do a bit of research beforehand. Without thinking of this as a homework assignment, view research as your way to interest a girl who genuinely likes art. If there's a specific exhibition, research the artist. Get to know the work being shown. In the age of rapidly growing mass media, the Internet is your best friend when it comes to artistic research. The more you know when approaching a girl in a gallery, the more likely you'll be able to hold a conversation.

Two words. Free. Wine. At an art gallery, there's guaranteed temptation to over-indulge, but you know what's really tasteless? Approaching a girl when you're too drunk. While your wine may seem light and tasty, cheap wine equals sloppy wine, and no girl is ever the slightest bit attracted to a man who can't handle free. What could be more embarrassing than knocking down a prized piece of artwork? Instead of completely turning the switch off with wine breath, settle for a glass or two and ease your way into the conversation without slurring words.

Girls in the gallery scene, with swarms of narcissistic curators, exhibitors, and art enthusiasts alike, don't want to be approached by the guy who “thinks” he knows about Jackson Pollock just because he saw a cheesy documentary about him. Instead, take a lighter approach and ask her what she thinks of the piece. If she seems genuinely interested, give her your opinion. Simple and straightforward is the way to go, especially if you’re a gallery newcomer.