Hit or Miss

While watching TV sports is a favorite bar pastime, an alternative game is observing the art of the bar pickup.

Someone, either male or female, approaches someone else and attempts to begin an amorous interaction.

The first line is critical and either makes or breaks the entire situation.  If cleaver or humorous, the introduction can pave the way to an invitation, an immediate hit.  “Did you hear that global warming is melting the polar ice caps?  But it still does not make it easy to break the ice.” “I know what you are thinking, he looks nice enough, but can he ride a unicycle?”

A sincere comment or a well-worded compliment can also score a win.  “Would you mind if I sit down? I am all alone and you look like a kind person to speak to” or “You have a really nice smile.”

However, corny or creepy one-liners, no matter how well-delivered, will likely result in an epic miss and possibly being on the wet end of an empty glass.  “Do you know we were together in another life.”  “If I said you have a beautiful body would you hold in against me.”  Or the old coal nugget “What sign are you?”

Witnessing the romantic meet-cute can be a fun game called Hit or Miss.  Viewing potential exchanges and discussing and/or betting on the outcome from up close or afar is quite entertaining.

The afar approach requires some detective work at picking up on nonverbal clues.  Facial expressions and hand gestures can be very elusive, but a drink in the face is a dead giveaway.

In loud bars, eavesdropping on verbal conversations is usually impossible.  So, gamers also can create possible conversations based on inaudible cues.

Someone “going in” to initiate first contact is usually preceded by a large gulp of drink and either a confident or equally terrified look.

A quick turnaround or a complete snub, either with or without a look of annoyance, almost always results in a crushing and immediate defeat.  But a brief linger, a smile or a 180 degree turn is often a sign of victory.

Afterward, a laugh, a head or hair toss or even a momentary arm touch is a sure mark that it is going well.  While a look downward or slow stirring of the drink is a definite sign of boredom and impending doom.

Some may think this amusement to be cruel, but it is encouraging to think, regardless of a crash and burn or success, that gamers could be witness to the inception of a beautiful relationship.