As a single male runner, I am fortunate to meet many single female runners at road races, running expos and out and about town during my daily runs. Could you recommend any good "pick up lines" that I might be able to use with these women? - Looking for a line
Dear Line-Looker,
It's not always true that "first impressions" made upon a prospective mate will dictate the outcome of a hopeful future relationship. While it is true that people do tend to make judgments about the way you present yourself, there are many instances where even a poor first impression may lead to a favorable "second chance". Still, as runners, we are all about "bettering the odds", thus it seems clear that the first intercommunication link between you and your subject of desire should be as favorable as possible.
The problem lies not with the message of that first verbal encounter, but with the content. Subliminally, what you want to say is obvious: "Will you go out with me?" but such a direct approach lacks creativity and rarely leads to success. Instead, you must employ a variation of that theme, lightly seasoned with flattery, marinated with sincerity and garnished with a slight twist of confidence.
One bad example of a "pick up line" was recently demonstrated by a friend whom I'll call Bob (not his real name!). Hanging out at the local track after finishing his interval training, Bob sauntered over to a woman who, herself, had just finished running sprints and made the mistake of saying: "I like my women the way I like my cars: fast".
You probably heard his face get slapped from wherever you might have been at the time. A better approach might have been thus: "Nice work out there, are you in training?".
It is always better to pose an innocently mild question begun as a compliment, than to rattle off a declarative statement that promotes your single sided opinion. But questions should inspire conversation rather than an immediate response for "a date". Instead of jumping right into the "Hey, wanna get something to eat?" one liner, lead up to it slowly. Start out with a conversational approach on subject with your obvious common interest: running. Even better, ask for advice!
"I noticed you looked pretty relaxed on that last turn, what's your secret?"
That last example has both the complimentary feel previously discussed along with a conversation-provoking question that leads your quarry into actually talking to you!
Another point: don't be a slave to the "What time is it?" or "Do you have the time?" pickup line. These rarely work first because they are lame excuses for conversation (a la "How about this weather?") and then because they are so unoriginal as to not even be "cute".
Another tactic that I have heard several failing "Don Juan's" attempt to employ is the "Freak 'em out so they never forget you" tactic. This is such a bad idea, that I almost don't even want to waste precious time pointing it out to you. It is usually used by the more "artistic" type who think that pure "wit" and the use of "dramatics" will attract a mate.
Running past the finish line of a recent 5 mile road race, a guy hoping to impress a woman spectator shouts out "Ahhhhhh, help me, I'm on fire!!" as he drops, squats and rolls on the ground. Quickly standing, he takes an overly pronounced "bow" to his presumed audience yelling "Thank you, thank you" to an uninterested crown of onlookers. Walking up to the woman, he smiles, holding his hand over his heart and sings "Admit it, you're hopelessly in love with me!"
Ummm, I don't think so.
Run long and taper.
