Category: Q & A

In simplest terms, "because that's how the contracts were written before the Internet".

The creators and publishers/distributors of the established industry have historically made greater revenues when they were able to re-sell the rights to their work to multiple territories.

In part, this has even been a good thing at times – once you have a licensee with "feet on the ground" in a given country, you immediately have someone with a financial interest in stamping out piracy of the licensed work.

Similarly, having a company that understands book distribution infrastructure, or television broadcast restrictions in say Chile, can be immensely helpful to a publisher/TV studio in Spain – despite the fact that they share a language (more or less).

Of course, when it comes to, say, English-language products, it's an incredible frustration at times to be an Australian or British citizen waiting for the release of an eBook, album, movie, or TV show from the US.

And lest we forget, there are a lot of countries and languages out there, and even the most popular books and movies never get a proper localized edition… Which again is frustrating for the locals – who may well be fluent in a licensed edition's language, but simply unable to legally obtain their own copy.

It's not an easy system, but it has more or less worked for a very long time, which in turn has created (accreted?) a lot of established players who would faced reduced revenues or even extinction if more "internet-friendly" terms were quickly and universally adopted.

It seems almost inevitable that things will change once digital distribution overtakes physical product sales worldwide – master licensors will have fewer reasons to cut in the locals based solely on geography, and instead opt for a "world-wide per-language" license model, or something similar. Unfortunately, waiting for this to happen is a bit like waiting for cheap efficient solar power – always just over the next hill, always 3 years away.

What is the reason books publishers and music companies place geographical restriction to selling their electronic versions of books and musics?

A quick note to those a little earlier on in the process: try to come up with 3-4 potential plans before lining up the date… In fact, try to just have 3-4 fun things planned each week, and invite your date along as a first date. Knowing that you were going to do whatever it is anyway might make it seem less special, but especially at the outset of dating women like to feel less preyed upon, and showing enough interest to invite her along like this shows her you're willing to "let her into your world"… And if your world happens to be fun and exciting, she's more likely to want to return later. 😉

That said, a few real basics to get you started:

The Beach Chalet at Ocean Beach is pretty nice for a meal/beer/sunset. A bit cold and breezy, though, so bring a warm coat (to wrap her in?).

A drink after work on the comfy couches of The Press Club just off Market St is a little cozier, and not cheap, per se, but definitely bang for buck a great investment.
Apps and cocktails at the bar at Ozumo on the Embarcadero is, again, not the cheapest, but totally reasonable. Nice if she likes sushi…

Happy Hour at Butter is a little wild perhaps, but the just plain absurdity of the place is fun, and it's loud enough that if you're not a good talker you'll have good excuses to keep it to a minimum.

Me? I like bumming around North Beach at random. It's right on the edge of Chinatown, lots of bars and bookstores, a restaurant for every palate, and yes, even strip clubs. Best grubby pizza is at Golden Boy, and once you're through the line, you can cram up to a bar and eat/talk to your hearts' content. Nice wine bar just across the street…

I could keep going on, but it would help to know a bit more about what you had in mind, and some background… Otherwise you'll just get random opinions. Does she know it's a date? Being Chinese is so irrelevant I won't address it…

Overall, just keep the date fun, and low pressure. Let the atmosphere or activity be your guide, and just enjoy whatever happens. The very worry that you don't want to mess up is often the surest way to make sure you do. 😉

So, where can a lover on a budget take a girl on a first date in San Francisco without needing a government bailout afterward?

1. The best question I can think of is the one you ask in front of the mirror: "Am _I_ interesting?" Keep asking that question until the answer is a solid yes… Then come up with good reasoning or examples to back it up. Big things. Small things. Silly things. Just believe them. Then, once you're at least mostly confident that you yourself are interesting, proceed to the second step…
2. The best thing to do is not worry if she is interested in you[*], but instead express your own interest in a clear and honest fashion.

In the middle of conversation you might say, "Oh, that reminds me, I'm going to ____ next Thursday, that kinda thing always makes me really happy."

Then, when finishing up/preparing to exit, "You know what, if you're free next Thursday, you should come along to ____ – I think you might enjoy it, and I'd love the company."

It's not so blunt or date-focused that you seem obsessed with outcomes, but it's that nice combination of bold but subtle that will allow her to accept/decline with neither of you being offended/hurt. The main "danger" is that she might bring someone along, but even that is a chance to shine as a potential suitor, and get her friend on your side. 😉

Short of being 100% direct, this type of tactic tends to keep your social world moving, going out and experiencing fun stuff, and if done properly isn't remotely sleazy/gamey/creepy to women.

[* You're interesting, so of course she's interested. It's still not enough…]

What is a good enough question to find out if a girl is interested?

Everyone loves being approached, generally speaking. Give a cursory check for someone who looks intent on not being disturbed, and otherwise go ahead and give it a shot. All the more "showy" signs of interest (smiles, hair twirling, winks, etc) can be mistaken or unintended.

The number one reason why approaches fail is that they never happen.

There is no safe way to know whether someone is interested or attracted before you make the approach. There's also basically nothing to lose.

The idea that women want to reserve flirtation to a small minority of men who meet certain explicit criteria, that they send clear telepathic signals to in advance to confirm assent is… a crazy myth.

The number two reason why approaches fail is that they "don't go anywhere" after the initial ice is successfully broken.

The only reason why pickup artists have any "superpowers" in terms of approaching and getting numbers from/dates with women, is that they practice incessantly, approach everyone they're interested in, and have a plan. It doesn't need to be elaborate, or a misogynist NLP hypnotic trick.

Just have a few good stories saved up, a joke or two, some upcoming events you can mention or even invite her to, and the ability to genuinely listen. That's it! Oh, and the 3 second rule (approach within three seconds of noticing her/making eye contact for best effect) is pretty good, too.

Good luck!

What are some ways a girl will let you know she wants you to approach her?

Best bets:

• don't worry about maybes, enjoy what is while it is.

• take things slow if you're very concerned about it being a problem.

• communicate your concerns and fears with her in a non-confrontational manner.

• keep in mind: no one will leave for someone else's best qualities, rather they maybe find someone to help escape your worst qualities.

Be the most healthy, attractive, smart, well-rested person you can be, always. That's the one tactic that will work the best.

How can you be sure that your girlfriend/wife will not leave you for a richer and more handsome man if the opportunity arises, even though she claims to love you?