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The Worst Pickup Lines: 40+ Examples to NEVER Use
- Authors
- Name
- Gautier
Want to know what kills your chances before you even start? Not your photos, not your profile — sometimes, it's just one line. If you're looking for lines that actually work, you first need to understand what never works.
This article catalogs 40+ catastrophic pickup lines. Each one was actually sent. Each one actually drove someone away. Learn from their mistakes so you don't repeat them.
Never run out of things to say
AI-powered replies that keep the conversation going. From first message to getting the date.
Pineapple belongs on pizza. 🍕🍍
Pineapple belongs on pizza. 🍕🍍
Why Some Lines Drive People Away
The Reptile Brain at Work
When a woman reads a bad opener, her brain decides in 0.3 seconds:
- Is this guy a threat?
- Is this guy boring?
- Is this guy going to waste my time?
One bad line can check all three boxes.
The 4 Categories That Kill
- The Generic: Messages so basic they scream "copy-paste"
- The Creepy: Messages that make her uncomfortable or objectify
- The Desperate: Messages that beg for attention
- The Pretentious: Messages trying to be original but falling flat
The Worst Classic Lines
These lines all have one thing in common: they seem harmless but guarantee radio silence. For what actually works on Tinder, it's the exact opposite.
The "Hey What's Up" Category
1. "Hey"
Why it sucks: Zero effort. She gets 50 "Heys" per day. You're drowning in the crowd.
2. "Hey, how are you?"
Why it sucks: The logical response is "Good, you?" — and then what? Conversational dead end.
3. "Hi there"
Why it sucks: Same problem as "Hey", with a slightly more childish touch.
4. "Hello :)"
Why it sucks: The emoji saves nothing. It's still empty.
5. "What's new?"
Why it sucks: She doesn't know you. There's nothing "new" to tell you.
The "Direct Physical" Category
6. "You're so beautiful"
Why it sucks: She knows. Everyone tells her. You're not adding anything.
7. "Wow 😍"
Why it sucks: An emoji is not a message. It's background noise.
8. "You have amazing eyes"
Why it sucks: Too generic. Even if it's true, it sounds scripted.
9. "You have an incredible body"
Why it sucks: Instantly objectifying. Blocked in 3 seconds.
10. "I like your smile in the 3rd photo"
Why it sucks: Too specific about physical appearance = weird.
Never run out of things to say
AI-powered replies that keep the conversation going. From first message to getting the date.
Pineapple belongs on pizza. 🍕🍍
Pineapple belongs on pizza. 🍕🍍
Cringe Lines to Avoid
These lines are supposed to be original or funny. They're not.
Failed Puns
11. "They call me [name] but you can call me tonight"
Why it's cringe: Worn to the bone. Absolutely everyone has heard it.
12. "I'm not a photographer but I can picture us together"
Why it's cringe: This line predates the internet.
13. "Are you a parking ticket? Because you've got fine written all over you"
Why it's cringe: The pun is bad AND it references her body.
14. "Do you have a map? Because I just got lost in your eyes"
Why it's cringe: Neither funny nor flattering. Just empty.
15. "Are you a star? Because you light up my night"
Why it's cringe: Elementary school poetry level.
16. "Do we know each other? You look like my future girlfriend"
Why it's cringe: Presumptuous AND cliché.
The "Original" Ones That Aren't
17. "I'm not like other guys"
Why it's cringe: That's exactly what all other guys say.
18. "I'm different, you'll see"
Why it's cringe: Saying it proves the opposite.
19. "I can offer you the world"
Why it's cringe: Empty promise, guaranteed drama.
20. "What are you looking for? Me, it's you"
Why it's cringe: Desperate AND creepy.
Failed Humor Attempts
21. "If I had a star for every time you make me smile, I'd have the sun"
Why it's cringe: You've literally never interacted with her.
22. "Do you know the difference between you and the sun? There isn't one, you're both unique"
Why it's cringe: It means nothing. Literally.
23. "Did you hurt yourself? Because you just fell from heaven"
Why it's cringe: The line is 30 years old.
24. "Do you have a map? I got lost in your eyes"
Why it's cringe: Same cliché variant = still bad.
25. "Was your father a thief? Because he stole the stars and put them in your eyes"
Why it's cringe: Long version of a cliché, so double penalty.
Desperate Lines
Nothing kills attraction like the smell of desperation.
26. "Will you give me a chance?"
Why it drives away: You're putting yourself in a begging position. Instant turn-off.
27. "I know you have lots of matches but..."
Why it drives away: You're devaluing yourself before even starting.
28. "Please respond"
Why it drives away: No respect for her time or choice.
29. "You're probably too good for me but..."
Why it drives away: If YOU think it, she'll think it too.
30. "I'm used to not getting responses so..."
Why it drives away: You're announcing your failure. Why would she want to participate?
31. "I understand if you don't respond, but..."
Why it drives away: You're giving her permission to ignore you.
32. "You're my only match I really like"
Why it drives away: Too much pressure, too fast.
Creepy Lines
These lines cross boundaries. Sometimes legal ones.
33. "I'm already imagining our life together"
Why it's creepy: You've never talked. Massive red flag.
34. "You've been haunting me since I saw you"
Why it's creepy: Psychological thriller vocabulary.
35. "I stalked your Insta, you're even more beautiful in real life"
Why it's creepy: Admitting stalking like it's normal.
36. "I can't stop thinking about you"
Why it's creepy: Obsession ≠ romance.
37. "I know where you work/live/go to the gym"
Why it's creepy: This is potential harassment.
38. Explicit description of what you want to do to her
Why it's creepy: Unsolicited = verbal assault.
39. "You're my future wife"
Why it's creepy: Delusional projection onto a stranger.
40. "I'll protect you from all other guys"
Why it's creepy: Paternalism + possessiveness = 🚩🚩🚩.
How to Transform a Bad Line into a Good One
The Improvement Recipe
Take any bad line and apply these filters:
- Personalize: Replace the generic with something from her profile
- Question: Transform the statement into an open question
- Remove physical: Focus on her personality or interests
- Add light humor: Self-deprecation > exaggerated flattery
Transformation Examples
| Before ❌ | After ✅ |
|---|---|
| "You're beautiful" | "That hiking photo, where was that? The scenery looks insane" |
| "Hey what's up?" | "Crucial question: team coffee or team tea?" |
| "You're my only real match" | "Your profile made me swipe without thinking. The [detail] got me." |
| "I'm not like other guys" | [Don't say it. Show it with an original message] |
The Line Test
Before sending, run your message through these questions:
- Would I send this to my sister? (respect)
- Can she easily respond? (flow)
- Does it show something about me? (personality)
- Is it different from what she gets 100x per day? (originality)
If you answer no to at least one, rewrite.
Final Word
These 40 lines have one thing in common: they focus on YOU (what you want, what you feel, what you hope) rather than HER (who she is, what interests her, what makes her laugh).
The mental shift to make: stop trying to impress. Try to connect.
Learn More
Now that you know what to avoid, discover how to use humor intelligently in your messages. And if you want to test bolder lines, learn to dare without being creepy.
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