NEW YORK — If you’ve ever been at a bar, you’ve probably overheard singles using some really lame lines to get someone’s attention. While they may be good for a few laughs, a new survey finds the pick-up line may be officially dead.
A OnePoll study of 2,000 Americans who’ve been on a date revealed over half (55%) think one-liners should be forbidden. Men, believe it or now, are actually 18 percent more likely than women to think they should be outlawed.
The most cringe-worthy lines that respondents roll their eyes at include: “I got my library card and I’m checking you out” (45%), and “Are you from Tennessee? Because you’re the only ten I see” (39%). In spite of their cheesiness, a third of respondents confessed that a pick-up line has actually worked on them.
Forty-two percent of men have fallen for a one-liner, compared to only 27 percent of women who say the same. Among the winning lines to actually work were “are you a Pokemon? Cause I’d like to take a Pikachu” and “can I have a picture of you so I can show Santa what I want for Christmas?”
Digital dating turn-offs
Commissioned by the dating app HUD, the poll reveals 52 percent have used a one-liner in a direct message to catch someone’s attention. Cringe-worthy pick-up lines aren’t the only tactic respondents admitted to using in the search for a partner. Nearly two thirds (64%) admitted to purposefully taking a long time to reply to a message in an attempt to “play it cool.”
The average respondent said they will take 30 minutes to respond to a message. Stretching things out even further, 69 percent will delay responding if they think someone took too long to answer them. Obviously, these romantic games are a source of frustration as 78 percent think “games” and response delays are a waste of time and wish people would be themselves.
Beyond games and banter, there are just some things respondents can’t learn through texting. Four in five need to hear someone’s voice before agreeing to meet them. The average person on a dating app needs four days of messaging before they agree to call a potential partner. Other big requirements respondents want to know before meeting in-person include their date’s demeanor, voice intonation, cleanliness, and chemistry.
“Casual dating has historically suffered from a dearth of honesty and transparency, so it’s no wonder people are a bit cautious about calling or meeting person before they feel comfortable with a potential match. It’s okay to take your time to get to know someone before you take that next step of calling, video calling, or meeting up. Respect your own boundaries – and if your match is pressuring you, drop them, because they need to respect your boundaries too,” says Katie Wilson, Director of Communications for HUD, in a statement.
Dating during COVID-19
The pandemic has certainly changed the dating scene, as 64 percent think they’ll be using dating apps more in the future than they have in the past six months. With the keyboards of communication open, many respondents plan to be more honest about what they’re after.
Fifty-nine percent want to be upfront with matches about their sexual desires so they don’t have to waste their time or anyone else’s. Over half (54%) think it’s actually easier to have conversations about sexual preferences online than it is in person.
“Since the pandemic started, we’ve seen a big increase in our app users choosing to be straightforward and open about their sexual preferences and desires. People don’t want to waste their own or others’ time – it’s just better to tell the truth about what you’re into because then you’ll have a better chance of getting your needs met,” Wilson adds.