I’ve been ridiculously happily married for almost 10 years now, so the singles bar scene is a long-forgotten memory. Or maybe just a deeply repressed one. At least it was until yesterday, when a friend came to town and invited me out for a quick beer. As we began catching up over Dos Equis, we couldn’t help but overhear a series of pick-up lines being exchanged by a group of 20-somethings who — at least in their minds, and thanks to several happy-hour pilsners each — had assembled a list of clever lines no woman could resist. Assuming, of course, the women in question were all desperate to gain U.S. Citizenship.
As a service to single men everywhere, and in particular to that group of 20-somethings once they’ve sobered up, I felt obligated to jot down some of those horrible pick-up lines and explain — through a “trial” and “error” format — what they can expect should the words actually leave their mouths in the general direction of an actual living female, intoxicated or otherwise.
Trial: Do you know CPR? Because baby, I think I’m having a heart attack!
Error: This is particularly ineffective for men over the age of 40, who could easily be mistaken for having an actual heart attack. Nothing says “sexy” like coronary infarction.
Trial: Do you like magic? Because I’d like to make your clothes disappear.
Error: Even David Copperfield wouldn’t attempt this horrible pick-up line. If you do, chances are the only thing disappearing will be her drink in your face.
Trial: I’m not a religious man, but you make me want to shout hallelujah!
Error: Aside from the obvious risk of being struck by lightning from God at the sheer stupidity of that line, there is the very real possibility the woman in question will take it as a sign she shouldn’t have attempted a final night of passion before joining the nunnery tomorrow. Either way, you lose.
Trial: Are you an animal trainer? Because you make me want to stand up and beg.
Error: Unless you want to be in a collar, tied up and peed on, it’s probably best to steer clear of anyone who responds favorably to this lame pick-up line. Unless you’re into that.
Trial: I’m an astronaut and my next mission is to Uranus.
Error: Unless you’re in a gay bar, don’t even think about it.
Trial: If I were Captain Kirk, I would love to boldly go where no man has gone before.
Error: Although this might work at a Star Trek convention because, in many cases, no one there has been with the opposite sex, under normal circumstances that line will send women away faster than you can say “Warp speed, Mr. Sulu.”
Trial: I’m a doctor. When’s the last time you had your breasts examined by a professional?
Error: In addition to being really lame, this line could potentially tap into genuine concerns by a woman actually seeking a professional opinion. At that point, you either have to come clean and look like the horny jerk you are, or continue the charade under the most unsexy circumstances possible.
Trial: Someone call the police because I think you just stole my heart!
Error: With a line like this, the only call anyone is going to make will be to the 1980s so they will come take you back. Assuming they want you.
Trial: They call me the cat whisperer. Want me to show you why?
Error: Be prepared for the fact that, until the scratches on your face heal, your new name will be Cat Scratch Fever.
Trial: Do you like karaoke? Because I brought my own palm-friendly microphone.
Error: In addition to being stupid, let’s be honest: this line is just setting up everyone involved for disappointment.
Trial: Your smile is so sweet it should come with a calorie count.
Error: As any supermodel will tell you, there’s no point in counting calories when you’re too busy barfing after a line like that.
If any of you in that group of 20-somethings is reading this, there’s no need to thank me. The fact that no woman will have to endure any of that torture is thanks enough.
Not to mention the lives this post might save.
(Ned Hickson is a syndicated columnist with News Media Corporation. His first book, Humor at the Speed of Life, is available from Port Hole Publications, Amazon.com or Barnes & Noble.)
Ned's Blog 
LOL! Oh my goodness, that was funny.
I picked up my husband unintentionally, by cursing at him and foaming at the mouth. I had no idea he had a thing for feral women.
Thankfully I’ve never had to personally witness this injustice. I can’t even imagine how I would react if I were on the receiving end of one of those beauties!!
“I’m an astronaut and my next mission is to Uranus.” Seriously? Eww!
Who needs birth control?
Lol!
These guys, for sure.
Some words are inherently funny, like “infarction.” I wish I could say the same for pickup lines. I printed this and have it in my purse so I’m ready the next time someone asks to check out my shirt tag to see if I really was made in heaven. Blarf.
HA! That’s it. I I ever create my own line of shirts, I’m naming it “Made in Heaven” just so that you can say, “As a matter of fact…” and show them your tag.
Not that you’d probably want or need to…
Until I get my Kickstarter campaign going, I hope the printed version of this post will ward off other horrible pick-up lines 😉
Do people actually say these things? Like, aloud?
The worst thing that someone’s said to me was: “So, you’re wearing all black, eh?” to which I responded with “What are you, hitting on me or color blind?”
The guy just looked awkwardly to his left, pretended to have spotted someone in the club and stepped away!
Lol! Definitely a smart move by both of you!
My boyfriend of 3 years (who is also my batch mate in college) got my number from a friend common and asked me if that was mine,before we started dating.
I was obviously surprised and asked him how we got it , to which he replied
“If one searches well enough, he can even find God. This was just a number. If you permit me, I’d like to find out more about you”
I found it rather creepy back then, but as I got to know him as a friend I realised he’s just a boy trapped in a man’s body and a real sweetheart.
So, I guess I’ll just pretend that pick up line never happened and keep loving him 😉 ❤
Wow! Hopefully he realizes what a HUGE gesture of faith you’re making by pretending that never happened! Haha! My best wishes to you both 😉
Tell me about it. We broke up just a few hours after I posted this comment. This is like some movie
What?!? I’m so sorry to hear that! I swear I had nothing to do with it…
Though I can’t say I know you well, I think I’ve seen enough of who you are in your blog posts to know it’s his loss. Surely there’s a movie with an amazing leading man coming soon to a theater near you 😉
Hang in there.
If there’s one thing I’ve learnt, it’s this-
“At some point you will realize that you have
done too much for someone, that the only next possible step to do is to leave them alone. Walk away. It’s not like you’re giving up, it’s more like you know when enough is enough. What is truly yours will eventually be yours, and what is not, no matter how hard you try, will never be.”
It’s time I need to stop crossing oceans for people who wouldn’t jump puddles for me 🙂
All so very true, Nidhi. The best relationship is built on equal participation in its success and happiness — as a couple and individuals. When one person is responsible for both, that person loses their identity and the other never finds theirs.
I love your last analogy — and the wisdom it reflects 😉
I just speaf from personal experiences..
been there , done that
🙂
*speak
I just figured you had food in your mouth 😉
I just have too much on my mind
*sigh*
That’s understandable. If you didn’t, I would worry 😉
Can proudly proclaim I have never used a pick-up line on a woman. (I can less proudly proclaim it is because no woman has ever let me get within ear-shot.)
I’m sure, somewhere out of earshot, there are women proudly proclaiming how they’ve never heard one.
This was hilarious. My favorite one is about the breast examination. I can already picture a guy having to maintain he’s a doctor, not wanting to admit he was just in it to get some boob…It reads like the set-up to another Adam Sandler comedy;)
Haha! Thanks, Arend!
Hopefully he’s reading, and not just for the pick-up lines. That would be sad.
The only pick-up line that has ever worked on me is “What’s your name?” Other than that the response is usually eye-daggers and a quick flip of my middle finger.
Ha! I was never a pick-up line kind of guy. However, as a married man, I do like to “use” them on my wife from sometimes just to see her eyes roll. At lunch today, I told her: “You’re like my favorite book at the library ’cause I’m always checking you OUT!”
*eye roll*
Mission accomplished 😉
Oh my gosh, I laughed so hard. That’s funny! “Favorite book”…that’s good.
At least I know if she walks away after one of my lame pick-up line, it’s only into another room of the house 😉
That’s a beautiful thing, Ned.
Yes it is 😉
Hahahahaha simply loved these pickup lines! Just surprised that guys still use these! Can’t they tell they’re not the most original way to seduce a girl?
Apparently not. I think it’s natures way of keeping the gene pool safe from guys like that… 😉
Oh man! Those pick up lines are bad…they make me happy I am married! Haha!
I can honestly say I never used pick-up lines. Now that I’m married, however, I like to use them on my wife just to see her eyes roll. They are purposely horrible, of course. Then I say, “See what marrying me saved you from?”
Thanks for reading, Amanda! Btw, though I’d been “following” you in my reader, I knew I was missing stuff. I am now an official “email notification” follower now to make sure that doesn’t happen anymore 😉
Haha! That’s how marriage should be! I don’t think my husband has ever used chat up lines on me. Phew! I have heard many in my time, all as awful as each other! Perhaps not as awful as the ones you mentioned!
Thanks for following me via email. This means a lot. And no worries about losing track, I seem to lose sight of posts all the time. Drives me mad!
Thanks for letting me be part of this week’s Friday Five, Meg. I will wear your badge proudly!
Wait…is it an iron on?
I’m just scrolling through the comments here and, um, did you somehow trigger a breakup with this post? Is this your superpower now? Great power, great responsibility, yada yada yada…
Replace “yada yada yada” with “and also great lack of technical ability” and I think you’ve nailed it, Ross.
Hilarious, man. I like the animal trainer one still the best. It didn’t work though. Just wanted to clarify.
Oh, so I suppose those neck scratches came from your turtleneck sweater?
I have a wool allergy.
I see. That explains the swelling.