Cracked is notable for its male bashing.
http://www.cracked.com/blog/5-ways-soci ... an-fix-it/
I was intrigued to see their angle on this until I realise the whole premise of it was sarcastic, even though they talk about men being turned away from domestic violence shelter. It's commonplace to mock the idea of men having struggles, and when they do, embracing feminism and becoming more sensitive is seen as the only solution.
That said, this article and the comments following it are worth a read:
http://www.cracked.com/blog/11-original ... nnot-fail/
My comment on it was ""Do you have a minute for me to hit on you" and "Don't Tell Me if You Want Me to Take You Out to Dinner. Just Smile for Yes, or Do a Backflip for No." are the only ones worth a damn on here, and they're the sort of lines you'll find on a PUA website i.e. they use actual psychology rather than just being corny jokes. Nothing really against the latter but you've argued yourself why the ones that use psychology are better, lines that "highlight the absurdity of the interaction" or are a bit meta as you've put it."
Cracked is the sort of place where even mentioning PUA can get you downvotes, so I tried to put this in as gently as I could.
It's interesting reading the comments and reading the lines guys talk about using as a joke, lines they've actually used, and the approving/disapproving reactions women give, from "guys, NEVER use pick up lines" to "I love pickup lines, I find them hilarious".
A couple of good comments from Cracked users:
Quote:
The move: So, shes sitting outside in a round table with an umbrella all by herself drinking a 'passion iced tea' studying and reading her books. me im sitting across her in another round table just thinking to myself that shes one of the most beautiful things ive ever seen…before we begin i have to admit that im a big guy, but i know how to dress, use my charm and can guarantee that if we ever met i could probably make you laugh…now back on topic...i see a guy walk up to her and offer to buy her a drink, shes like "err, um no thank you, my drinks still full" and the guy leaves...i then start thinking "dang that was a pretty decent looking dude and she turned him down, maybe i dont have a shot"....a few minutes pass...another guy came (ill admit hes a good looking dude) and gave her a ridiculously cheesy line which failed miserably as well…she eventually just stiff-armed him and said "im sorry, im pretty busy, but thanks for the compliment". I then start thinking to myself “how can I possibly have a chance with this girl? How can I talk to her and show her that im a pretty good guy……wait! Why do I have to talk to her!!? Why do guys in general have to make the move!!? I have to find a way to make her talk to me!!”
At this point I had to make a plan, I didn’t care if I embarrassed myself in front of people, I just wanted a reaction from her so she could notice me…so I grabbed my earphones and pretended to start listening to music, I pretended that I was hearing Taylor Swift “You Belong with ME” and I started singing loudly “yooou beloooong wiiiiiiith meee-ee-eee, you belong with meee”…at this point some guys that were sitting nearby started chuckling, but I noticed from the corner of my eye that she looked at me!! I take my earphones off and she looked at me and started smiling and said “YOU, listen to Taylor Swift???” I blushed and pretended to be shocked that she heard me and I said, “um, what? Uhh..no..i don’t know what you mean *blush look down*” she started laughing and said “I heard you!!” and I replied “dang it! that’s supposed to be a secret…I only like a few songs….” She laughed, I then said “well since you know one of my secrets you have to tell me one of yours, its only fair lol” so we sat together, started talking, I bought her a drink and got her number, one of the most amazing women I have ever met and we were together for 6months until she had to move away…we still talk, but I miss her till this day…Taylor Swift fellas…Taylor Swift….
Quote:
"Screw it, I'm not bothering with pickup lines in this new gender-equal world. I'll just walk up to girl and ask if SHE knows any good pick-up lines. If she doesn't I'm leaving."
Quote:
"From what I see, the meta stuff here is the most likely to land. A little self-deprecating humor or absurdity goes a long way, as do appropriate gesture cues. Many women like a bit of theatricality; you can't just read the lines - deliver them. Say something ridiculous, then close your eyes, smirk with a little scoff, bite your lower lip just a little bit [universally attractive, thanks Hollywood] and open your eyes big as you tilt your head up to look into hers.
Example:
- Hey, I just... *blink, tilt head down, smile a bit* wow, I'm sorry. *shake head then pull up and open eyes* I had this whole cheesy thing I was going to say, but you're even more gorgeous up close. I can't even remember my name right now, much less ask for yours. Seriously, help me out here. Jane? Right, Jane. Phew, that was intimidating. *laugh to self slightly* We're in the clear now, though. *nod slightly* Lovely to meet you. I'm [Damian.] Tell me something about yourself.
Not that it should be scripted to that extent, but there's a certain panache that awkwardly trying to charm carries over using charm by numbers material. Strikes as more of a meet cute than a pick up.
- "Excuse me miss, do you have the time?" *Gives time* "Yeah I actually don't care, I just had to try to talk to you. Take a chance, you know? I'm [Damian.] I'm sorry if I'm being lame, but you're stunning."
False meet them? This one is great to meet cute/perky types at bookshops, markets, etc. where you can't just cheese on up like at a bar or club:
- "Hey! Sandra?!?" "Oh my god, I'm so sorry. At first glance you looked just like this girl I had a massive crush on in college; those little dimples and your haircut, and oh man I must look like a total idiot right now." *Oh no, it's alright, I mean-* "So... you're sure you're not Sandra? Really?" *No, I'm Jess.* No you're right, you're right *chuckle* For starters her eyes were green and yours are... actually an amazing azure blue. Huh. Wow."
Learn to draw Spongebob perfectly on model, even while drunk. Great parlor trick. Women love him. I don't know why, nor do I care. He's a great wingman, though. Easy followup joke about how you can do it because you created him - no, that's total bullshit, I'd be super rich and drinking somewhere way nicer. I'm just [me] - and you are? Here, I want you to have this for being a good sport- *give doodle* etc...
Tell ridiculous stories that you insist are real and then partway through admit that they're a load of s**t. Great crowd control. "I once witnessed by grandfather tackle a bear to the ground on a hunting trip; he saved my life... and he was shitfaced when it happened." Bonus points for sticking the landing with more absurdity: "Nah that's a load of s**t. I'm sorry, I just wanted you guys to love me. Total BS though, all of it. I don't even have a grandfather; I was a test tube baby. Nah, that's bullshit too... man, I can't stop. I'm the worst. Seriously though, I bet one of you has a much more amazing story, right?" Pass the mic to one of her friends, both showing that you value them too and keeping any guy in the group from one-upping your shtick...
Man, I actually really kind of miss dating. That's the thing - good romance should be a bit unpredictable, and a bit of an adventure. Let yourself be a character; have fun with it. If you're having fun, she [or he] probably will as well.
Reading the comments on this article will reassure you that you're on the right track. Everything that's good in that thread and that the users of the site are upvoting as being cool and funny are the kind of things that are taught here. Everything that sucks and is lame isn't. Wish there was an easier way for the users of the site to see that PUA is therefore on everybody's side, but hey.
CHAT
