How to Craft and Deliver the Perfect Pick-Up Line
As a result of being single for the past four years, I have received my fair share of cheesy pick-up lines. Some have been better than others and some more successful than others. If done right, pick-up lines can be a fun and creative way to break the ice as well as a great way to figure out if you and your love prospect have a similar sense of humor and/or intentions. I have found that unique and clever lines tend to spark interest and conversation more than your average line that almost everyone knows. Read more for some things to consider when picking your icebreaker.
1. Wordplay
Wordplay is defined as a “literary technique and a form of wit in which words used become the main subject” and it is primarily intended for amusement. Wordplay includes puns, oddly formed sentences, clever rhetorical excursions and double entendres. Using a unique and clever play on words is a great way to impress a potential love prospect because creativity is often associated with intelligence. Whether your pick-up line includes wordplay that is thoroughly thought out or a little lame, it’s the thought that counts and anything original will surely impress someone.
A couple of my favorite pick-up lines that use clever wordplay include “I have all these forks and knives only now all I need is a little spoon” and “Is your name Coca-Cola? You’re So-da-licious”.
2. Compliment
You can never go wrong with a pick-up line that includes a genuine compliment. Complimenting someone is a great way to break the ice because they make people feel good and know that you genuinely are attracted to them and would like to get to know them better. According to a study done in 2012, praise induces a positive mood and increases motivation to perform a motor task. In our case, including a compliment in a pick-up line is an effective way to guarantee a response back.
A couple of my favorite pick-up lines that incorporate compliments include “If you were a vegetable you’d be a cutecumber” and “Did the sun just come out or did you smile at me?”
3. Use Humor, but Don’t be Vulgar
When using pick-up lines, be careful not to cross a line and go too far. Although some pick-up lines that are a little suggestive can be funny, make sure to not be too vulgar because it can make both parties very uncomfortable. Some people do find suggestive pick-up lines funny though so if you do want to try it out, don’t be discouraged if it backfires. This can also be a good way to figure out if a love prospect has a similar sense of humor as you or not.
4. Be confident
No matter the pick-up line you’re using, the most important thing to do when courting a potential love interest is to be confident, but not cocky. If you say something with confidence and act comfortable introducing yourself to someone, the pick-up line more or less doesn’t matter so much. Delivering an amazing pick-up line poorly because you are not confident is much worse than delivering a lame pick-up line with all of the confidence in the world. According to Psychology Today, this is because people are attracted to those who are comfortable with themselves, making them charming, assertive and generally pleasant to be around.
Cheesy pick-up lines can be a fun and creative way to break the ice with a potential love interest if done correctly. Over a few years of being single, I have received my fair share of pick-up lines and have noticed trends that work and don’t work. If you choose to use a one-liner to break the ice, the most important thing you can do is say it with confidence. However, keep in mind that using clever wordplay, being humorous without being too vulgar and giving compliments are also very important things to consider when selecting the perfect pick-up line to use!