How you doin'?

...in a mobster voice and accompanied by a "head nod" is probably one of THE most quotable pick-up lines.

For my Communication class I had to bring in less popular yet used pick-up lines. My class is taught by an older(retired) male professor and on a good day, seven of twelve classmates will show. I know everyone's name and life story by now yet saying pick-up lines in front of them would be uncomfortable. This was magnified by the specification made that I was only to use lines that I heard or I used.

I settled on two equally cheesy and safe lines. 

“I'm Mr. Right, someone said you were looking for me?” 

“Do you believe in LOVE at first sight? Or should I walk by again?” 

When I got to class the guys had plenty of dirty lines that would have made ANYTHING I brought in seem normal. I shared my two lines and was content with a clean slate assignment. I would not normally care so much about my assignment but my professor is always trying to share his "worldly wisdom" on dating and relationships. To be clear, I really did NOT need the casual yet obvious, “Oh you’re single? Oh so is so-and-so! How interesting...” comments that follow. Pick-up lines are dirty, cheesy, over-used, and above all AWKWARD. 

I started to think about makes people resort to pick-up lines and if talking to strangers of the opposite sex, has always held such an inept connotation. 

I could pin this on the "use of technology" and "the decline of social interaction" but I REFUSE to believe that genders have communicated without misunderstanding and difficulty EVEN BEFORE the internet. 

Pick-up lines are commonly used when a man thinks he is "out of his league" or desperate. For instance, older men to younger women or the Barney-Stinsons of the world to normally decent women. 

But all too often, instead of coming off with “moves like Jagger,” they comes across as Urkel.

The example one of the men in my class gave was, 

“Great legs, what time do they open?” 

While typing this I’m laughing, if someone came up to me and said this I would smack them or look for the NEAREST security. 

So what works? 

Honestly, if someone was interested yet a stranger, a simple SMILE, and, “Hi my name is _____,” is all that is needed. It leaves little to interpretation, if there is suddenly a lack of CHEMISTRY in the conversation, one can walk away unscathed, and there’s a better chance of walking away with a number instead of a slap to the cheek. 

I’m no, "Dear Abby" but even the internet cannot justify the serious use of pick-up lines. 

John Stamos tried, but could not cure the Urkel.

This post is very female minded and female to male, and I apologize for anyone who can’t relate but I can only speak from experience but please comment and share your experiences!