i've never been a "pickup artist"; never cared to be, though i do comprehend the value of an icebreaker. i happen to be a put off artist; at least, it MUST be artful, what i do. if good communication [on my end], though, equals being a pushover, then i don't see the point in communicating. also, it isn't my fault that the vast majority sees assertiveness and, especially in written dialogue, mistakes it for aggressiveness. ... just sayin'.