Romance Counseling Team: Advice Thursday

Bad Pick-Up Line, Part Two

And continuing in the lessons on how to effectively romance targets- or how to deflect unwanted lines gracefully and cleverly.

Today's real-life pickup line (Mission Head has heard them all):

So, I have time. What's your phone number

What's wrong with that, you ask? Well, just a couple hours, the man in question had asked for Mission Head's phone number, and she demurely answered that she didn't have time and and to get back to [classified]. Then he comes at her with that. As though it were his inconvenience before, not hers, and not accepting that she might be inconvenienced again- or that it had been a hint.

First for the gentlemen. How to be classier.

• So, guys need to be able to pursue, right? Girls like that too. But you got to do it right. Be interested, but not pushy.
• If your first attempt is turned down, one does not necessarily have to give up. But always give the lady a way out. Instead of saying "I have time- now give me something" ask if she has time now. And if not- be okay with that.
• If turn downs continue to happen, you need a new approach. Be her friend. Don't be looking for things. Instead, be a friend and give her pleasant, un-pressured conversation.
• Be observant. Don't be so focused on your own time-frame and goals that you don't pay attention to what may be making even normally desired flirt unacceptable because of her bad day.

Now, to the ladies, how to dodge gracefully.

• Say you don't have time again. Then leave, if possible.
• If not possible, tell him something going on in her life that might make him feel bad about pressuring- even if it's just that you're really stressed out right then.
• If you believe such conversations are going to keep happening, be alert. Men are very easy to divert, so change the subject. Make it so that by the time he remembers his question, you really do have to leave.
• Come up with a (honest) excuse why you can't give him your phone number. Blow up any little thing- strict plan, little siblings always stealing it, whatever it takes.
• Use your discretion. Most guys don't deserve to be hurt just because they like you. But there are some who need to have things spelled out to them. And others might need things spelled out very harshly. Use your gut, girls. Don't be bullies, but be safe.

Have you ever had a situation like this before? How did you deal with it- from either side? Would you do anything differently?

Comment below!