After reading a lot of openings in books, and on the forums, I'm trying to figure out what lines keep you in the alpha spot. From what I see, it's all int he wording.

Here's a few variations on the same line

1. "I need your opinion. Who'd win a fight between a midget and a smurf?"

2. "Quick question, who'd win a fight between a midget and a smurf?"

3. "Can you help me out? Who'd win a fight between a midget and a smurf?"

Now all three of these are quite similar, and I don't know that it makes a HUGE difference (hasn't been field tested yet)

But which one would put you in the alpha male spot? Which one makes it seem like you don't need her, but that you know that she wants to talk to you?

Feel free to add opinions and options of canned responses below if you think something might work better.

"Quick question."

You don't "need" anything from her that way, including her help.

Do yourself a favor and stop being so meticulous with your openers. You could use any of those and it wouldn't make much difference at all. Nobody became successful by over-analyzing constantly.