"Well, son... it's better to regret something you have done than to regret something you haven't. And if you see your mom this weekend, be sure and tell her 'Satan!'" -Butthole Surfers, opening of "Sweat Loaf" It's true. I learned when I was in sales that you go for a close and expect a 'no'. Don't fear the no: embrace it. No is not the end because it's not the end of the conversation: it's a starting point for handling objections. If the person says 'no' and walks away, then it's even better! Why? Because it's totally over. Now you're free to start the next attempt. You don't even need to look back: be polite and move to the next event. Sales taught me how to flirt and ask people out. It taught me how to read people, almost as much as spending time in a place where I barely knew the language. I tried and I grew from it.