Matilda actress Mara Wilson leads ridicule of blog on 'how to talk to women wearing headphones'
Matilda actress Mara Wilson today led ridicule of a blog entitled “how to talk to a woman who is wearing headphones”.
The article, posted by a blogger on website The Modern Man, bewildered hundreds after offering a step-by-step guide how to approach and “create a spark” with women in headphones.
The cringeworthy guide claims there are five steps to get a woman’s attention, including standing 1 to 1.5 metres in front of her and “waving your hand in her direct line of vision so she can’t ignore it”.
Many Twitter users suggested the article could be a parody, but others mocked it for its content.
Former child actress Wilson, who is best known for playing Matilda in the 1996 hit film starring Danny DeVito, was one of many to ridicule it on Twitter.
She said: “Don’t approach me while I am wearing headphones because I have a very strong startle reflex and might scream in your face, not even kidding”.
Don't approach me while I am wearing headphones because I have a very strong startle reflex and might scream in your face, not even kidding
— Mara Wilson (@MaraWilson) August 30, 2016
Website The Modern Man styles itself as a source of help for men to experience “more success with women”.
Written by blogger Dan Bacon, the article reads: “When she looks at you, smile and point to her headphones and say, “Take off your headphones for a minute” and pretend to be taking headphones off your head, so she fully understands.
“If she doesn’t understand (most women will), simply gesture that you want to talk to her by briefly pointing back and forth from you to her and say, “I want to talk to you for a minute.”
The author then urges men to “do what we call ‘Acknowledging the Awkwardness’ by quickly mentioning something about the awkwardness of the moment”.
It also gives a list of common mistakes men make when approaching women who are wearing headphones including nervousness, sticking to polite conversation and “allowing her to take control of the interaction”.
It says: “A woman can be approached anywhere, even if she is wearing headphones, walking her dog in the park or working in a clothing store.
“Headphones are a great barrier between a person and the rest of the world.
“That being said, if a guy wants to get a woman’s attention he needs to show confidence by being determined to get her to stop listening to the music and chat to him to him.
“If a guy has a weak vibe or presence about him, a woman usually won’t give in to his request for her to remove the headphones.”
The article was widely mocked on social media.
American science fiction author John Scalzi said: "The way I get women to listen to me when they're wearing headphones is to write a book and then have it read on audio. WORKS GREAT, DUDES."
The way I get women to listen to me when they're wearing headphones is to write a book and then have it read on audio. WORKS GREAT, DUDES
— John Scalzi (@scalzi) August 29, 2016
It'd be nice if men stopped treating women like Pokémon. "She's wearing headphones! Use an Ultra Ball!"
— Elainovision, Again (@scattermoon) August 30, 2016
Can't wait to go out at lunchtime and rip headphones off women's head then ask them out. #ModernMan
— Adam (@AdamPembrey) August 30, 2016
The piece goes on to say: “Women love to test guys to see how confident they really are and a favourite test of women is to ignore a guy’s attempts to converse with her and see what he will do next.
“Will he walk away in shame, or will he remain calm and continue talking to her in a confident, easy-going manner?
“No matter how confident or challenging a woman might behave, she still dreams of meeting a guy who is more confident than her.
Other articles on the site include "my ex is telling everyone that I'm crazy" and "4 tips to get her back after being needy".
But some Twitter users suggested the blog may be a parody.
Those RTs simultaneously hilarious and terrifying. Hoping Modern Man is a parody site.
— MentalJargon (@MentalJargon) August 30, 2016
I'm rethinking my stance on this. I say @Dan_Modern_Man, of "how to talk to women with headphones" fame, is pure parody. Go look at his TL.
— mistressmatisse (@mistressmatisse) August 30, 2016
@Herbertimo @Dan_Modern_Man Hang on, is that not parody?
— Chelsea Wintle (@heyxie) August 29, 2016
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