Right, so first you have to learn how to manipulate women, then you realize that they like being manipulated, then you realize you're doing them a service, then you realize that in this special case, the ability to manipulate people is a great and valuable thing to have, and it makes you a more interesting and exciting person to be around (not that you weren't to start with), and once you've had this realization, you become a natural!

Or, you do what I did and assume that the only way women would be interested in you is if you have something of value to offer them, and then go about doing something to develop that value. Yes, it has taken me a long time to realize that I have value, just by virtue of being a unique person. However, I didn't have to go through a "manipulation" stage to get there.

Instead, to the extent that you could call certain behavior options I have now "manipulation", I chose to do them because of having an understanding of their value, and caring about the woman in question (my wife) enough to want to give that value to her.

So, in this particular example, it's the exact opposite order to what you're suggesting.

Of course we are starting to argue semantics now... as you say, the difference between "manipulation" and "alpha male behaviour" can be merely one of poetry.

Actually, it's a matter of what your motivation is. Alpha males look out for the group, and do other useful things, rather than adopting those behaviors because it gets them laid. That's the difference between manipulating and being genuine. (See also some of Eliezer's posts about "adaptation executing" vs "fitness maximizing" for the psychology difference.)