Article: Try to steer the topic in the direction of something you both care about, from your obsession with Community to your love of biking. You don't have to do this by asking her about her five favorite bands, types of food, hobbies, or forms of exercise; you can just listen to the natural flow of the conversation, and see if you can find something you both like, or if you can get her to notice something you like. For example, if you casually mention that you were coming back from the A's game yesterday, then she'll respond if she's a big A's fan, too. When you're talking, make sure you ask open-ended questions instead of "yes" or "no" questions, so you can keep the conversation going. Make sure to avoid awkward silences! Remember: things will only be awkward if you make them awkward, be confident and keep the conversation flowing as best as you can. Don't despair if you feel like you have nothing in common. You'll be able to find something eventually if you keep up a fun conversation for long enough. It may turn out that you don't have so much in common, but that you click because you have similar personalities or outlooks. That's great, too. When you mention a band you like, ask her if she likes the band too; let her see that you care about her interests when you're talking about yours. This is another way to make her feel special. You don't have to stare into her eyes like you're searching for your own reflection and creep her out, but you should make a point of giving her all of your attention, and not looking down at your phone or scoping out the room to see if anyone more interesting has walked by. You can break eye contact every once in a while, but only to keep things interesting, not to show that you're bored. Making eye contact shows confidence. If you make a point of locking eyes with the girl, she'll see that you're confident about getting to know her. Listen intently when she speaks. Girls like guys that listen to them and like what they say. Don't constantly interrupt her to state your opinion; let her talk and share thoughts with you. However, show that you're listening by nodding, saying "yes" or "no" at the appropriate times, and answering her questions. Ask her what she thinks about whatever it is you care about -- your favorite music, the new fashion trends this season, or the importance of friendship. Though it's important to ask for her opinion, try to avoid talking about religion or politics immediately, or you may get into an argument you didn't anticipate. When she says something, make sure you respond and show that you're listening by rephrasing what she says occasionally. You can say, "I completely agree with what you said about how hard it is to stay in touch with friends who move out of town..." to show that you're hanging on to her every word. You should compliment an aspect of her personality or her looks without freaking her out to show her that you care. If you like her type of music, or the books she reads, tell her that she has great taste. It's all right to compliment her clothes, hair, or jewelry, but you'll really win a girl's heart if she sees that you're into more than just her outside. Also, if you're feeling super confident, why not compliment her in a flirty way? If you're going for the physical compliment, don't do more than compliment her clothes, hair, or in more intimate cases, her eyes. It's not time to freak her out by telling her how hot she is before she even knows your last name. If she has a great laugh, don't be afraid to tell her that. You don't have to bore her by asking about her favorite part of Algebra II; however, you can show that you're interested by asking her what her favorite subjects in school are, asking about her favorite teachers, or even letting that lead you to a discussion on what she wants to do when she gets older. Don't just nod and say, "That's interesting..." ask her why she likes a certain subject or why she wants to be a nurse or a lawyer when she grows up. Some girls don't like talking about school that much. If you're sensing a lack of interest, just move on. Don't make it feel like an interrogation. You can talk about the subjects you like, too. It's best to not tease girls about things they might take seriously, especially weight, looks, or intelligence. It's especially important not to make a comment that the girl can take the wrong way when you're just getting to know her. If you manage to deeply offend the girl at the beginning of your contact, it'll be hard to dig yourself out of that hole. Err on the side of caution. Don't tease her unless you really feel confident that she'll get it. Follow her lead. If she has been teasing you for a while, it's okay to tease her back. Just make sure to keep your jokes on the same light level.
What is a summary of what this article is about?
Find common ground. Make eye contact while you're talking. Express interest in her thoughts and opinions. Give her a subtle compliment. Ask her about her studies. Don't tease the girl until she understands your sense of humor.