(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)