Does 'peacocking' really work?

If you've ever been insulted by a man in a bar, you have probably got bachelor bible The Game (Text Publishing, $34.95) to thank for it.

According to the book's author, professional pick-up artist Neil Strauss, insulting a woman is apparently a great way to get her attention.

But while the validity of that little gem of advice is up for debate, Strauss may have struck gold with another dating technique which could be worth stealing from the boys. Ever heard of something called "peacocking"?

Basically, it's when men use an out-there piece of clothing or prop to attract a girl's attention and differentiate themselves from the competition. So we know it works for the boys, but can it work for us ladies as well? Could something as simple as an eye-catching accessory turn us into man magnets?

Samantha Jayne, director of matchmaking agency Blue Label Life, thinks so. "Men are simple creatures, so they need to see signs that a girl is interested in being approached.

You can show this by wearing unusual accessories, bright clothes, glossy lips, or even with a big warm smile and a cheeky glance or two in their direction. Men are afraid of rejection, so a girl giving off the right signs literally gives them the invitation to come and play."

A chat with Graham, 28, also confirms the theory. "Recently I was in a bar and a girl came in wearing an African headscarf. It seemed so out of place and it definitely wasn't the greatest look I've seen. But once I got over the scarf, I looked at the girl herself and thought she seemed quirky, attractive and confident.

So I went over and introduced myself by making a light-hearted comment about her headscarf. I probably wouldn't have even noticed her in a crowded bar, but that one piece of clothing made me look at her long enough to forma deeper first impression, and it also gave me a great excuse to chat to her."

All evidence so far points to yes, peacocking does work for women. But you never really know anything in life until you try it yourself, so I decided to test the theory out.

The peacocking prop: a jewelled headpiece.

The event: a party for porn star Ron Jeremy's new rum (seriously).

As soon as I get there, I realise I've chosen the wrong event to road-test this peacocking idea as the female staff are dressed up as porn stars. Opps. That's minus-one on the board for me.

Considering the awful start, my headpiece and I make a brilliant comeback. Ron Jeremy himself offers to sign my chest (which I politely decline, but he goes ahead anyway); I have a nice chat to a very cute boy dressed in tennis gear (that's double peacocking action right there); and I finish the night debating whether the world really is going to end in 2012 with a lovely man who takes my number ( and ends up calling me at a later date).

So there you go. Peacocking definitely works! 

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