Date: 25 Mar 94  20:12:30
   From: Herb Huston
     To: All

In Helen E. Fisher's _Anatomy of Love: The Natural History of Monogamy,
Adultery, and Divorce_:

In case you can't find it or your library's copies have all been checked out,
here's a summary from Dr. Fisher's book.

American singles-bar courtship has five stages with distinctive escalation
points.  They are "attention getting," "recognition," "talk," "touch," and
"body synchrony."  Attention getting consists of establishing a territory
and engaging in exaggerated movements to draw attention to oneself.  Some
male actions are pitching and rolling the shoulders, stretching, standing
tall, shifting from one foot to the other, stirring a drink by using the
entire arm instead of the wrist, and swaggering (this action is also em-
ployed by male baboons).  Female actions include twisting curls, tilting
the head, looking up coyly, giggling, raising the brows, flicking the tongue,
licking the upper lip, and strutting (back arched, bosom thrust out, and hips
swaying).

Recognition starts when eyes meet and ends when both parties are within
talking range.  The talking stage consists of grooming talk ("Hi." "What's
your sign?").  This is the most dangerous stage according to Givens and Per-
per.  The touching stage begins with intention cues, e.g., leaning forward,
moving closer, or stroking one's own arm.  The researchers report that usually
the female touches first.

Body synchrony occurs when the male and female pivot until their shoulders
become aligned with their bodies face-to-face and begin to move in tandem.
Those reaching total body synchrony usually left the bar together.