When I was 2 years old, my father taught me how to approach women, men, and...

When I was 2 years old, my father taught me how to approach women, men, and other children.

My father detested the “stranger danger” fad that was sweeping society and the parenting philosophies at the time. He correctly deduced that the majority of people would turn into social idiots within a few decades, and in response, he instilled in me the opposite, to be a social master. It became my superpower.

As part of my training, we would go to the mall with my mother, and while she was shopping, my dad would sit on a bench and get me to go say hello to young women waiting for their friends. They treated me, an outgoing, small, cute, blonde, and blue-eyed kid with great manners, like a little golden boy.

Most of the women would pick me up and give me a hug or make a big fuss over me. It set my expectations for dealing with women. I came to expect that women would treat me like gold, and all my life I’ve been rewarded with great treatment from women.

When meeting men, I was taught to shake hands properly. Look them in the eyes, greet them, tell them my name, and show no fear or shyness. This too was a high success, and I was treated with respect by almost everyone I met.

It didn’t take long for me to make a very positive emotional association between taking the initiative to meet new people and getting praise and attention.

Today, due to my early childhood experiences, I can approach and talk with anyone about anything at anytime. I deeply enjoy socializing and getting to know people.

Fathers, if you want your sons and daughters to be social masters, you need to start young. Bring them along and introduce them to everyone. Let good people make a fuss over them and reinforce their social drives. Maybe it will also become your child’s superpower!