Great pick up lines
that feel like a firm handshake,
not a performance.

Your profile is the most interesting thing I've read on this app this week. That's a real compliment, not a line.

I have a tendency to overthink first messages. This is the version where I just send something honest. Hi.

I usually have a plan. With your profile, I don't have one. So I'm telling you that, which is the plan now.

You seem like someone who has interesting stories but doesn't feel the need to tell them first.

You have an energy that suggests you’re probably the calmest person in a crisis.

You look like you're secretly amazing at a very specific, random skill.

You have a way of writing your bio that's both clever and completely unpretentious.

You seem like someone who would be great company on a long road trip.

You look like the kind of person who remembers small, important details about people.

You seem like the person who would champion a friend's new project with total enthusiasm.

You have a certain confidence that comes across without being loud or boastful.

You look like someone who reads the book before watching the movie adaptation.

You have a really well-curated profile. It feels like an accurate snapshot of who you are.

The third photo is doing the heavy lifting in your bio. The whole bio is fine but that photo is the move.

Your prompt about [thing] is the kind of answer that makes me want to know the follow-up. So what's the follow-up?

You've got a strong photo lineup. Whoever helped you choose them was right about the order.

Your dog is the real star of your profile. I assume he screens all your matches.

The travel photo in your bio is great. Does it come with an interesting story, or just a good filter?

I see you play guitar. Are you more 'anyway, here's Wonderwall' or do you have actual range?

Your bio says you're a foodie, which is either exciting or means we'll fight over the last fry.

That photo of you on a mountain suggests you're outdoorsy, or just very good at posing near nature.

The fact you listed that book means you have excellent taste, or you're just trying to impress the algorithm.

Your cooking photo looks professional. I’m now convinced you have a team of tiny chefs helping you.

I'm impressed by your marathon photo. My longest run is usually to the refrigerator for a snack.

Your bio mentions a love for trivia. Is that a warning that you'll destroy me in Trivial Pursuit?

The shot of you with your friends has 'reliable designated driver' energy, which is a high compliment.

Your prompt answer was so well-written I'm suspicious. Did you hire a publicist for your profile?

That group costume photo is impressive. I’m guessing you were the one who organized the whole thing.

Your bio's brevity is either mysterious and cool, or you just got tired of writing it.

That classic car in your photo is beautiful. I hope you treat your dates as well as you treat that engine.

The bookshelf in your background is very organized. This tells me you're either a librarian or a perfectionist.

Your profile is so good it feels like a trap. What's the catch?

Question for you — what's the worst pickup line you've gotten on here? I'm asking so I can avoid it.

Be honest, is your bio your fourth draft or your fortieth? Either way, it works.

I'm willing to bet you don't message first. I'm doing it for both of us. You can thank me later.

Let's settle this now: what is the single most overrated tourist destination in the world?

If you had a personal theme song that played when you entered a room, what would it be?

Hypothetically, if we went for drinks, what's the story you'd tell to make a great first impression?

What's a small, ridiculous thing that makes you happy every time you see it?

Alright, be honest: what's the most useless talent you have? I'll trade you mine.

If you could have any superpower but it had to be incredibly inconvenient, what would it be?

You get to ask my magic 8-ball one question about our potential first date. What do you ask?

Let's start with the important stuff. What's your go-to karaoke song?

Settle a debate: are board games a fun night in or a recipe for silent arguments?

What's the weirdest compliment you've ever received? I'm trying to get some ideas.

What's the most interesting thing you've learned recently that isn't related to your job?

You're building the perfect sandwich. What are the non-negotiable ingredients?

If you were a movie director, what genre would you be known for?

Okay, what's a hill you will absolutely die on, no matter how small or silly?

What's one thing you're terrible at that most people find easy?

You're given one hundred dollars to spend on something completely frivolous. What do you buy?

What's your most controversial, non-political opinion? Let's hear it.

Besides this conversation, what's the best thing that's happened to you today?

What's the most underrated thing on your photos? I have a guess but I want to hear yours.

If we had two hours and one cuisine, where would we go and what would we order?

Genuine question — what's something you'd want to know about me but feel weird asking?

What's one thing you're genuinely passionate about that might surprise people?

If you could have dinner with any three people, living or not, who makes the final guest list?

Beyond your career, what is something you feel like you're really good at?

What's a small goal you've set for yourself this year that you're excited about?

If you had an extra hour in your day, how would you consistently spend it?

What's a place you've traveled to that fundamentally changed your perspective on something?

What does your ideal, perfectly restorative weekend look like?

What's a book or movie that you think everyone should experience at least once?

If you had to give a short presentation on any topic without preparation, what would it be?

What's a tradition from your childhood that you'd like to continue?

If our first date was a complete disaster, what do you think would have gone wrong?

What's a simple pleasure that you think is seriously underrated?

What are you most looking forward to in the next few months?

If you weren't in your current profession, what do you think you would be doing instead?

I have a personal rule about not sending the first message. This is me breaking it. You should feel special about that.

I'm aware this is a pickup line. I'm choosing to send it anyway. That's the whole confidence pitch.

I told myself I'd write something good. I'm not sure I succeeded but I'm sending it. That's character development.

I spent way too long trying to think of a clever opener. So I'm just saying hi. Consider this my clever opener.

Okay, I'm sending the first message. Now the pressure's on you to be charming and witty.

My new strategy is to be direct. So, directly: your profile is excellent and I'd like to talk to you.

I'm officially submitting this message as my application to take you on a date.

I'm skipping the clever intro and going straight to the part where I ask how your week is going.