Pick-up line

Romantic conversation opener

A pick-up line or chat-up line is a conversation opener with the intent of engaging a person for romance or dating. As overt and sometimes humorous displays of romantic interest, pick-up lines advertise the wit of their speakers to their target listeners.

Pick-up lines range from straightforward conversation openers such as introducing oneself, providing information about oneself, or asking someone about their likes^[1] and common interests,^[2] to more elaborate attempts including flattery^[3] or humour.^[4]

Novices are advised to avoid standardised and hackneyed lines (particularly those resembling country songs^[5]) and to put their opening in an interrogative form, if possible.^[6]

References

^ Kuriansky, Judith (2003). "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Dating". p. 118. ISBN 1-59257-153-0.
^ Berne, Eric (1964). Games People Play: The Psychology of Human Relationships. Grove Press. pp. 155-156. ISBN 0-3944-7506-2
^ Berne, Eric (1970). Sex in Human Loving. Simon and Schuster. p. 238. ISBN 0-6712-0771-7
^ Dolan, Eric W. (2021-06-23). "New study provides insight into the best pick-up lines to use on Tinder". PsyPost. Retrieved 2022-11-17.
^ J. Browne, Joy (2011). Dating for Dummies. John Wiley & Sons. p. 86. ISBN 978-0-470-89205-3
^ J. Sidnell, Jack (2011). Conversation Analysis. John Wiley & Sons. p. 14 ISBN 978-1-4051-5901-2