(Because you can never emphasize enough the importance of avoiding these kinds of ridiculous pick-up lines, especially since my oldest daughter is now out on her own in the dating world, I decided to post this column from a couple of years ago as a public service message. Trust me: It could save lives…)
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 Eques, 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: Don’t even think about it. Not even in a gay bar.
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 everyone up 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.
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(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.)
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These are some of the funniest pick up lines I have ever seen. LOL
I’m glad I could show them to you before you actually experience them at some point, Charde! Sort of like learning self defense before you need it.
By the way, I realize you’re married with a lovely family, but it still doesn’t keep you safe from these kinds of bozos!
Yeah I had my share of bozos lol and I usually ran the opposite way. I do enjoy your post though they keep me laughing….thanks
Glad to hear it, Charde — about the laughs and escaping the Bozos 😉
Yup. Definitely glad I’m married. Man, some guys are really desperate aren’t they?
Some?
You’re too kind, Kim… 😉
Hahaha. 🙂 Great stuff, Ned.
But you forgot the classic “What’s your sign?” (Answer – “Neon”)
Hahaha! I knew a girlwho kept a napkin in her purse that had these words written on it: “Get the hell away from me”
When anyone ever opened with that line, she’d pull it out and say, “How’s THIS for a sign?”
That’s great. 😀
What a howl! Especially the one about being struck by lightening from God for the sheer stupidity of the line. Makes me glad we raised our daughter to be on the snarky and cynical side – it can serve young women well!
My daughters are both the same way. And, like you, parenting them that way wasn’t an accident!
Let’s face it, anyone who needs a pick-up line is going to be disappointed.
Excellent point, Mikels!
Wait… that’s actually a great pick-up line.
Damn!
Ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwww! Why on earth would anyone say these things? This is the reason I carry a tazer.
Don’t ever stop, Rebecca! Because I assure you those terrible pick-up lines won’t 😉
I’ll throw Bubba’s diaper as a warning first, but then, tazer town.
Lol! I get it. Like teargas…
LOL Sure. Except EBF baby poop smells and looks like mustard with cottage cheese mixed in. 😉 It’s terrifying!
Mustard gas!
not in the 20 somethings phase, i could adopt them, but lines tend to have the opposite effect on me, making me run shrieking.
Yikes! I consider this a public service announcement. Thank You.
Oh, by the way Ned, I just did a post over at Willowdot21’s https://willowdot21.wordpress.com/2015/10/13/if-we-were-having-coffee-august-232015/ if you have the time to drop by.Thank You.
On my way!
That’s it.
I’m sending my daughter to a nunnery…
We can car pool. Be waiting out front and I’ll bring the mini van.
These make me so much more satisfied that I am happy being a hermit!!
Hahaha! Better safe than sorry you ran into one of these guys, Susan 😉 Keep the frozen raspberries handy and enjoy NOT hearing these lines in person!
I think my favourite chat up line is:
“I really like your eyes… CAN I ‘AV EM?”
Ah yes, from the “Hannibal Lector Guide to Dating.”
A tome of wisdom.
You forgot “If I said you had a beautiful body would you hold it against me?”
I’m not sure that even worked for the Bellamy Brothers…
One of my favorites posts, Ned.
My husband was “feeding” lines to my son the other day.
His favorite, “Are you tired? Cuz you’ve been running through my mind all day.”
OMG…I really need some estrogen in this house!
Hahaha! My wife would probably say, “You’re right! I’m so tired I’m heading to bed.”
BAHAHAHAHA!!!
Great blog. On behalf of your daughter, and other women in the dating scrum, I should mention that I wrote on the same subject a few years ago…in “The Chat-Up Theory of Evolution.” (on The Meandering Matriarch). Some might find it interesting… Cheers!
It’s definitely important to have both sides of the story! And on behalf of my daughter, she never listens to her dad anyway — so your words will be welcomed…
I’m finally catching up on your blog, which admittedly I’ve not had time to do lately, however. Can I join the convent as well? 42, divorced, can’t remember the last time I even HEARD a pickup line and I swear my future husband is lost in the top of a tree somewhere because he couldn’t stop and ask for freaking directions to find me. *sigh* I digress. Lol, Yeah, I’m ready to take vows… But, then, how will I be able to read your blog then? 😛
Nunnery Monthly carries my G-rated columns. I average two columns a year there… 😉 Living in Oregon, there are a lot of trees here. I’ll keep an eye out for any potential suitors in the treetops…
ROFL! Thanks Ned! I knew I could count on you. Lol!