(What happens when generations grow up drenched in liberal thinking and
political correctness.  Poor kids.)

From: https://shorturl.at/29dLA (nypost.com)
 
===
The young and the dateless: Why Gen Z, millennial men aren't approaching
women anymore

   By Asia Grace
   Published Jan. 6, 2026, 2:55 p.m. ET

   Like many American men of his generation, Ryan Kessler, 28, is
   terrified of talking to women.

   But it's not a lack of smarts or swag that makes the single
   Manhattanite hesitant to approach women out in the wild. It's the fear
   of being mistaken as a toxically macho, boneheaded creep.

   Kessler told The Post that when trying to win over a potential love
   interest, the last thing he wants is to be considered a jerk who makes
   ladies cringe rather than swoon with a clumsy pickup line and unwelcome
   advances.

   "I never want to make the other person feel uncomfortable, and l want
   to be respectful," the cybersecurity analyst told The Post. "Some girls
   don't want to be approached at all. So, I'm always trying to err on the
   side of caution."

   As a result, Kessler said these days his "interactions with women are
   very few and far between," although he is on the hunt for his happily
   ever after. "I want to find `the one.'"

   Kessler considers himself a good guy but still has difficulty, at
   times, mustering up the courage to approach New York women at coffee
   shops, bookstores or even subway platforms.

   "I don't want to bother them," the wannabe loverboy said, conceding
   that he's not as timid when it comes to making the first move on dating
   apps, such as Bumble or Hinge. Singles are on there to be digitally
   approached, yet "a lot of the time, in person, [women] are not there to
   be approached, so it's kind of odd," the 28-year-old pointed out.

     @ryankess

     Approaching girls in public challenge day 1. #dating #flirting
     #futurewife
     d=d original sound - Ryan

   Not wanting to come off as pushy is a concern shared by nearly half of
   single men in the US who grapple with "approach anxiety," per a 2025
   report.

   Researchers determined that "perceptions of being labeled as `creepy'
   significantly impacted American men's willingness to interact with
   women, and 44% of 1,000 men reported that this fear reduces their
   likelihood of initiating contact."

   It's an unfortunate trend that seems to clash with what the majority of
   single ladies actually want. Seventy-seven percent of women between 18
   and 30 -- and 68% between 30 and 40 -- hope to "be approached more,"
   according to the insights.

   If anything, Liv, a 20-something and part-time Long Islander, has the
   "utmost respect" for men her age who summon the spirit to appropriately
   and politely make a pitch for her heart, "because it's so admirable, in
   this day and age, to actually have the nerve and the kahunas to go and
   do that," she said in a social media clip.

   However, men still need to tread lightly when doing so.

   "The problem is, a lot of men pursue women knowing that that woman is
   not interested in them," said lifestyle content creator Viv in a
   trending vid.

   "I cannot tell you how many times I had been diplomatic and respectful
   [while declining a man's advances], and it has led to me being
   borderline harassed ... I've had [men] follow me, I've had a man grab
   me," she added.

   Connell Barrett, a 14-year New York City dating coach, stands behind
   how Viv, and most women, feel.

   "Respect does not mean retreat. The single, straight man should still
   lead the dating dance in the courtship phase to a certain extent,"
   Barrett told The Post. "Women aren't saying, `Don't come talk to us.'
   They're saying, `Don't objectify, harass or disrespect us.'"

   Since rejection is another fear that young single men face, Barrett,
   whose clientele largely consists of heterosexual men under 35, suggests
   they ditch the mental gymnastics of "what if" and instead approach
   women with grace rather than angst.

   "Adopt a new mindset. You're looking for love, which is very human," he
   said. "It's OK to say `Hello' to women out in the world, as long as you
   do it with the right measure of empathy and charm."

   However, it seems the sweet, charming route might not always be the
   best option, at least according to Grant Greenly, a 24-year-old actor
   and model, who has taken this approach -- both in person and on dating
   apps like Hinge and Raya -- to no avail.

   Now, the Texas native is completely done with wooing would-be sweeties
   altogether.

   "I'm never doing it again, and I mean that. I don't care how it impacts
   my dating life," Greenly told The Post. "Approaching women today isn't
   worth the hassle."

   For Greenly, the final straw was a recent attempt to say, "Hi. How are
   you?" to a looker who immediately shut him down with a cold,
   disapproving look, followed by an "Eww. Who are you?" response from
   another single woman he attempted to chat up at a club.

     @greenlyentertainment

     Im never approaching a woman in public again if they want it that
     bad they will come to me
     d=d original sound - GrantGreenly

   "Dating is not like how it was back in the day. Our dads didn't have to
   worry about phones and computers warping people's minds," he groaned.
   "Nowadays, guys, including the ones who aren't creeps, get posted
   online as a joke when they ask a woman out on a date.

   "There's this deluded idea that all men are out to get women, no matter
   what."

   As a result, the Southwestern gent said if he's ever going to meet the
   girl of his dreams, she's going to have to make the first move.

   "I don't see anything wrong with the notion that women should approach
   men for dates," he said, citing gender equality as the basis of his
   position. "I know there's the argument that `Men used to go to war.'
   But now, women go to war, so why can't they do the approaching?"

   Levi McCachen, 37, backs up this belief, thinking it's time for women
   to step up to the romantic plate.

   "I recently went out, and a woman who wasn't the type of girl I
   typically go for opened up a conversation with me. It was great, and I
   got her number," McCachen, a stand-up comedian and podcaster, told The
   Post. "I thought it was awesome that she did the approaching."
   Levi McCachen on stage speaking into a microphone. 3
   Levi McCachen (above) says he's stopped approaching women, leaving
   himself open to only the bold belles who approach him while out and
   about. Levi McCachen

   "If you go up and say anything to a guy you think is cute, he's going
   to be, like, `Holy s-t, this is the boldest woman I ever met in my
   life,'" added the Canadian.

   The professional funny man and podcaster reiterated his call to action
   online, saying, "Men, we need to stop approaching women altogether.
   Women, it's your turn."

     @levimccachen

     Boys, huddle up, we're gonna have to work together on this one.
     Ladies, lean in. Would love to hear your thoughts. #datingadvice
     #datingtips #dating #relationships
     d=d original sound - Levi McCachen

   "I was taught that if I walk into a room of 100 women, 99 aren't going
   to be into me," he added. "But one of them will be, and she'll let me
   know it.

   "All I have to do is not f-k that up."
===

-- Sean

... "A good scare is worth more to a man than good advice." - E.E. Howe
--- MultiMail/Linux
 * Origin: Outpost BBS * Johnson City, TN (618:618/1)